Real Madrid squeaked past Roma to reach the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday night thanks to late goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez.
But
the Serie A giants will be left rueing a glorious opportunity missed to
overturn a fragile Madrid outfit who they bettered for the majority of
this two-legged tie.
Real Madrid came away from the Olimpico
with a seemingly insurmountable 2-0 lead , but Zinedine Zidane had insisted the tie wasn’t over and a strong team selection echoed that.
It
was just as well, with Roma the better side throughout this encounter
but spurning a host of chances to turn the home crowd from uneasy to
downright angry with a crucial goal.
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Rona vs Roma: Cristiano's goal was decisive
Former Chelsea winger Mohamed Salah was a thorn in Madrid’s
side throughout both legs, but his lack of end product arguably cost his
team progression.
The Egyptian missed two one-on-ones and set up
Edin Dzeko for another, which the Bosnian screwed wide from close
range, as Roma consistently tore through the hosts’ backline at the
Bernabeu.
But just as Madrid had taken full advantage of Roma’s
profligacy at the Olimpico, they killed the tie stone-dead in the 65th
minute as Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 40th goal of the season, before
James doubled the lead. But what did we learn? Ed Malyon was at the Bernabeu
1. Zidane doesn't take any chances
Reuters
Bald ambition: Zinedine Zidane
It's very easy to hear a manager insisting a tie isn't over
from the first leg and not believe him, after all a 2-0 advantage away
from home is pretty significant.
But Zinedine Zidane's inevitable
comments on Monday that he felt Roma were still in this round-of-16 tie
were echoed by the strong lineup he put out.
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Crist alive: Ronaldo could have been rested, but started for Madrid
The front three was as good as it could be with Karim Benzema
out - placing Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez either side of Cristiano
Ronaldo - while Toni Kroos was paired with Modric in midfield.
Casemiro's
inclusion as their defensive anchor was the one obviously conservative
move, but only Dani Carvajal of the substitutes could consider himself a
surefire starter benched.
2. Marcelo targeted again, with some success
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Trouble: Mohamed Salah goes past Marcelo.... again
Mohamed Salah was the most dangerous player for Roma in the
first leg, with his ability to break through defensive lines at will.
Unfortunately,
for much of the encounter at the Olimpico his poor end product also
prevented the Italians from making the most of some promising positions.
After quarter of an hour, Salah once again popped past Marcelo and accelerated into the space behind the Brazilian full-back.
It's not an uncommon tactic, as many teams have tried to capitalise on his attacking tendencies.
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Marcelo: Good in these areas... not so much in defence
But, as other sides have found, when you do get opportunities it is imperative to take them.
While
Salah was at fault last time, Edin Dzeko was today's offender. The
Bosnian hammered wide a Salah pass when virtually unopposed.
Salah found himself through shortly after but hit his own chance into the side netting.
Either
was the sort of moment that could have changed the complexion of this
tie, but in this competition you get punished for your mistakes by the
elite - and that's why Roma are heading out.
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Mo problems: Salah misses a one on one
3. Gareth Bale showing more rounded game on his return
It was Gareth Bale's first start for almost two months through injury and he lined up on the left.
But
the Welshman had an obviously more defensive brief than usual, tracking
back with Mo Salah to help out Marcelo (see number 2) after his
first-leg showing.
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Tracking back: Mohamed Salah can't shake off Gareth Bale
It was Bale who got back to make a crucial intervention when
the Brazilian and Sergio Ramos (of course!) had gone steaming into
challenges with Salah and come out without the ball.
He
also provided verticality to their attacking game, which at times lacked
any real potency tonight, and set up their best first-half opportunity
by breaking free before sending Cristiano Ronaldo through on goal.
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Missed chance: Cristiano Ronaldo is closed down by Wojciech Szczesny
While Gareth Bale no longer looks or plays like the left-back
we saw at Southampton, it is reassuring to know that, when asked, he
can perform an up-and-down role in the big games that many of his
counterparts can't or simply won't.
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Good going forward: Bale is handy in attack
4. Madrid eventually punish Roma - but worries remain
As in Rome, the glut of missed chances by the Giallorossi was eventually punished by Real Madrid's attacking flyers.
Cristiano
Ronaldo cushioned home a wonderful cross from substitute Lucas Vazquez
to make it 1-0, before nice interplay between James Rodriguez and
Cristiano handed the Colombian the goal that killed the tie.
Rex
Double act: Ronaldo celebrates with Vazquez, whose assist handed him the opener
Yet for all the gloss of a 4-0 aggregate scoreline there will be serious concern over how they are playing.
Jeered
by their own fans for the last two home games in La Liga, this
performance was another disappointing one that provides more questions
than it does answers.
What has happened to Toni Kroos? Have
injuries ruined Sergio Ramos? Is Casemiro the essential midfield shield
or does he disrupt the balance? Where does James fit in? Is Zidane even
any good?
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What might have been: Salah could (and should) have put Madrid to the sword
There are more, and you fear that nobody will face up to them until Madrid are on the end of a Champions League mauling.
With
Europe their only chance of glory remaining in a disappointing season,
when that moment of defeat comes it is going to have quite some impact.
Play like they did tonight and they won't have to wait too long...
5. Spalletti gives Totti his European swansong
Denis Doyle
Luc who it is: Spalletti gave Totti his farewell
When Luciano Spalletti was first in charge at Roma, a
brilliant Francesco Totti helped the shiny-domed coach create the
innovative 'strikerless' 4-6-0 formation that was later evolved by the
likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola.
His second spell
has not seen anything like the same synergy though, with the intervening
decade taking its toll on Totti's legs and game, and
the aging playmaker not fitting in with Spalletti's plans.
The
39-year-old club icon has publicly stated his unhappiness at a lack of
gametime and his desire to play for another year. Despite Spalletti only
recently getting his feet back under the desk, the Roma boss doesn't
seem overly keen on granting Totti's wish and no contract offer has been
forthcoming. Departing legend: Totti received a standing ovation from the Bernabeu crowd
What this leaves is the prospect of a saddening divorce;
where either Totti is forced to retire while he still has something left
to offer, or the forward goes elsewhere for a season, makes himself
some money but doesn't get his dream of retiring with the Giallorossi.
At
least tonight, albeit mainly through a lack of other attacking subs,
Totti got to take to the field in the Champions League for what will
most probably be the final time.
57 appearances and out for one
of the most talented and loyal forwards of a generation - who got the
standing ovation he so richly deserved.
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