Real Madrid 2013/14 1 AS Roma 2000/2001 1
(Bale 76') (Totti 64')
Roma went to the Bernabeu knowing nothing short of a win would do and for a dozen minutes it seemed they might repeat the heroics of October 2002 when a Totti inspired Roma team (boasting 10 of the same starting lineup) won 1-0. That would have been enough to take the tie to extra time and who knows, but it was not to be. Instead the final score was the same as 2001's Champions League fixture in Madrid, 1-1, and Roma were out.
There's a sense of disappointment in that. A sense that neither fixture saw the true Roma. They had been dreadful in Rome - a post and a number of blocked shots keeping the score decent- and truth be told they were not much better in the second leg. There was much huff and puff but very little sense that the Madrid defense was in danger of being blown down. In the final statistical wash-up it's damning that Roma had 62% of possession and yet lost the shot count 11-2.
On 26 minutes there was an attack that encapsulated the frustrations of this Roma performance. A good move, built over many passes from Candela to Cafu via Emerson and Tomassi managed to work the ball to Totti. He in turn found Batistuta and instead of firing a shot at goal, he slid the ball inside Sergio Ramos into the path of Montella inside the box. Rather than cut back and shoot, Montella tried to take the ball on and instead only walked it out for a goal kick.
When a chance presented itself to Real, by contrast, they were not too shy to pepper Antonioli with shots. On 35 minutes Tomassi made a bad error and his pass went straight to Ronaldo. Although he was some way out, the Portuguese striker did not hesitate and his powerful drive had the Roma defense scrambling to secure the deflection as their keeper palmed the shot away.
Half time came and Roma seemed no closer to being in the match. Casillas had a pair of untouched gloves. Then on 64 minutes came Totti time. Another good move as before but this time the maestro did not look to slide one of his shot-shy strikers in. He made a half space for himself and curled a beautiful shot from the edge of the box past Casillas. Roma were suddenly level.
Madrid did not panic and Ronaldo as so often, came to the rescue. After a mazey, forty yard run that showed off both strength and magic control he pulled a ball back into the Roma box from the byline. Roma had men back but Ronaldo's pass was accurate, finding Gareth Bale who from six yards was never going to miss. The Welshman flicked out a boot and sent the ball flashing past Antonioli.
That still left nearly a quarter of the match for Roma to find the second away goal that would likely put them through but disappointingly they were unable to assert lasting pressure on the Madrid goal. A rasping Cafu shot on 78 minutes was the closest they came but Casillas had that well covered. The game petered out. Khedira and later Isco were solid for Madrid in closing down space and Sergio Ramos was a shadow Batistuta could never shake. He managed not one shot on goal in either match.
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