Real Madrid vs. Roma: 2016 Champions League Round of 16, Leg 2 Score, Reaction
Second-half goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez helped send an edgy Real Madrid side through to the Champions League quarter-finals at Roma's expense, as they won 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday night, securing a 4-0 aggregate triumph.
The visitors missed a plethora of chances in a goalless first half, leaving the home crowd unhappy heading into the interval. But their nerves were settled in the 64th minute, as the Portuguese headed home his 13th goal of this season's tournament and his 90th in the Champions League overall; Rodriguez doubled the advantage four minutes later.
Manager Zinedine Zidane’s side were in a commanding position coming into this one after a 2-0 win at the Stadio Olimpico in the first leg.
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With Ronaldo naturally named in the starting XI, this knockout clash was confirmed as a landmark one for the 31-year-old, per Bleacher Report UK:
Although the Giallorossi lost the first leg, under new manager Luciano Spalletti they’ve been in brilliant form on the domestic front, winning seven games in succession. And with nothing to lose in this tie, Roma began the game with a refreshing sense of freedom.
Indeed, some steady and slick possession in the middle of the park allowed Roma to move the ball into dangerous areas in the opening exchanges. They missed some big chances too, with Edin Dzeko and Mohamed Salah not ruthless enough when the opportunities did fall their way.
The Daily Mirror’s Ed Malyon noted that this lack of composure has been a running theme throughout the course of the tie for the Serie A outfit:
Real did carve out moments in the match, though. Gareth Bale was at the fulcrum of Los Blancos’ attacking forays in the first period, first setting up Marcelo with a neat cutback and then putting through Ronaldo, whose effort was block by Roma goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.
Still, it was an underwhelming opening period from the home side, especially after netting seven against Celta Vigo at the weekend.
The assembled Madridistas began to direct some ire towards their own players as half-time edged closer too, with Salah having an effort pawed away by Keylor Navas before the break, per Paolo Bandini of the Guardian:
Roma seemed to sense frailties in the Real defensive set-up, and even with 15 minutes to regroup, at the beginning of the second half, the home side still resembled a rabble at back.
Within five minutes of the restart the Madrid defenders had hacked away the ball after a scramble in the box; before that, Salah again couldn’t convert another good chance, as he slid a shot wide of Navas’ post. The control reflected by the aggregate scoreline certainly wasn't on show on the field for the first hour.
However, against a side who possess quality akin to the Spanish juggernauts, so many missed chances are always going to be costly. And just as was the case in the Eternal City, Ronaldo was on hand to punish their profligacy.
Here is a look at the opening goal, which essentially put an end to any lingering hopes Roma had of a comeback, via BT Sport Football:
As we can see courtesy of Breathe Sport, it was a striker, which keeps a remarkable record going for the Portuguese, who has shown staggering levels of consistency in front of goal in his career:
"Ronaldo has now scored 40+ goals in last 6 seasons:
— BreatheSport (@BreatheSport) March 8, 2016"
10/11: 53
11/12: 60
12/13: 55
13/14: 51
14/15: 61
15/16: 40* pic.twitter.com/oYLfsfLIrT
It was also a goal that buoyed the hosts and deflated the visitors, with Real immediately playing with a noticeable vim. And before Roma had chance to settle back into their effective attacking patterns, Rodriguez pounced, adding some gloss to the scoreline.
The Colombian hadn't been enjoying his finest game until this point, but he showcased his class to make it 2-0. Rodriguez first did well to shuffle inside before arrowing a brilliant finish through the legs of Szczesny.
They were goals that sapped all the spark from what had been an intriguing game to that point, allowing Real to coast through the final stages. Indeed, even Ronaldo's usually razor-sharp mind seemed to wander, as he skewed a rudimentary finish from eight yards before full time.
Real were far from their free-flowing best here, yet they showed a ruthlessness in front of goal, which is critical for any side seeking to win the Champions League. Roma, meanwhile, will lament their wastefulness, both in this clash and in the Italian capital for the first leg; an early goal here could have heaped pressure on an unsteady Madrid team.
It was imperative Zidane steered his players through this one. Real are out of the Copa del Rey and 12 points behind league leaders Barcelona in La Liga, making this season hugely disappointing. But if they can go far in this competition, one which the club is synonymous with as 10-time winners, it’ll sate the desires of a fanbase that seems restless at the moment.
Post-match Reaction
Bale was quick to react on social media, insisting he was delighted with the win and happy to praise the opposition:
Zidane revealed he wasn't too concerned about the amount of chances which the Giallorossi carved out on the night.
"Perhaps it’s true we allowed too much at the back, but I had said it would be normal considering Roma have great players and were coming off seven consecutive Serie A victories," said the Frenchman, per Football Italia. "We ran some risks in defence, but that was only to be expected. The substitutions went well in both legs, but that means nothing, it’s part of the job of a coach."
Spalletti, meanwhile, revealed he wanted to see more from his players, reminding them of the prestige of the club they're representing, per Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC:
