Roma crash out to Roma
Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Roma put in a wonderful performance at El Santiago Bernabeu and won 2-1 against an uninspired Real Madrid side to reach the Champions League quarter finals.

Giallorossi scored an injury time winner thanks to super sub Mirko Vucinic after Rodrigo Taddei netted a header and Raul equalised from an offside position in the second half.

The Italian side won with the same scoreline against Los Merengues in the first leg and their brilliant tactics and total confidence makes them a genuine title contender.

Bernd Schuster had to do without the likes of hitman Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wesley Sneijder due to injury and full back Sergio Ramos due to suspension.

Three world class midfielders Mahamadou Diarra, Fernando Gago and Guti had the mission to deliver for their attackers Raul, Julio Baptista and in-form Robinho.

Ludovic Giuly started the game on the bench for the Italian side whereas Brazil international Cicinho entered the starting line-up against his old club.

David Pizarro, who scored in the first leg, started on Roma’s bench alongside experienced Christian Panucci.

Giallorossi played out a superb first half and created the best chances thanks to a solid defence and a very kick midfield that manage to provide great passes to inspired attackers.

The home side looked inferior in the technical aspect of the game but at least had some opportunities to hit the back of the net thanks to Baptista’s strength.

Roma had the first shot of the game with Francesco Totti missing his effort from the edge of the area set up by Cicinho and then at the other end Fabio Cannavaro saw his header from a left corner kick blocked by a compact defence.

It took both teams 15 minutes to realise they were playing a Champions League game and the show began with a collection of technical gestures and long range shots that made the fans get up from their seats.

Julio Baptista's free kick was brilliantly saved by Roma keeper Doni after a defender deflected the ball.

What an exciting play was it when on-fire Alberto Aquilani had two terrific shots in the space of 10 seconds, the first one from 25 yards hitting the crossbar and the second one from a difficult angle magnificently saved by a top class Iker Casillas.

Baptista's effort from close range was then deflected by Philippe Mexes after a wonderful delivery from Robinho from the edge of the box.

Another chance left El Santiago Bernabeu spectators breathless, with Alessandro Mancini's curled effort from the edge deflected away and then man to watch Aquilani tried his luck once again from long range without threatening Casillas before the interval.

Baptista started the second half with the best chance in the game, a 22-yard free kick that violently hit the angle of post and bar. On the other end, Cicinho’s perfect delivery from the right wing allowed Simone Perrotta to tempt to score with a header.

A Raul header finished wide, while Roma continued to dominate the game. Diarra and the injured Michel Salgado were replaced by Royston Drenthe and by the young Miguel Torres 26 minutes from time.

Luciano Spalletti substituted Mancini with Mirko Vucinic and the striker hit the bar with his first touch set up by a brilliant Rodrigo Taddei cross.

Pepe's disappointing performance was compounded and was sent off 20 minutes from time for a second bookable offence after the Portugal international blocked Vucinic’s way with his arms.

Roma took advantage of the red card and Taddei broke the deadlock with a terrific header set up by Max Tonetto in the 73rd minute but two minutes later Raul equalised from an obvious off side position with a daisy cutter shot.

Cicinho had a chance to make it 2-1 for the Italians, but his ambitious lob was blocked by Casillas and Daniele de Rossi then missed a very close range header. Vucinic scored the winner with a header set up by an inch-perfect Panucci cross in injury time.