AS Roma 0-2 Real Madrid : Five Talking Points

Real Madrid players celebrating after their victory along with their coachReal Madrid took a giant leap in the direction of quarter-finals as they beat AS Roma by 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico in the first leg of the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League. Cristiano Ronaldo and Jese Rodriguez plundered in two amazing goals to hand the visitors a giant lead heading into the second leg.The match was a nip and tuck affair with both sides going for the attack but lacking any sort of inguenity in the final third, which made the game all the more insipid. The second half started in much the same way, but a moment of brilliance from Ronaldo put the 10-time champions in the front.Beating his marker expertly to the ball, the Portuguese poacher unleashed a ferocious drive into the top corner, before Jese followed suit half an hour later. The young Spaniard struck into the far post from a tight angle on the right, leaving Los Blancos on the brink of last 8.Here are the major issues to discuss from the game in Rome.

#1 A game high on promise, low on end product

A game that was supposed to be tight contest turned out to be a one-sided affair

The stage was set for a heart pounding, full throttle football. The sides were all geared up to go hammer and tongs from the starting whistle and leave no stone unturned. However, what panned out was hugely disappointing.

Real Madrid dominated possession for large spells in the game, but were struggling to create any clear-cut opportunities. Roma spent most of the first half on the back foot, but were able to stifle the visitor’s moves with some resolute defending.

The roles reversed after the break as La Maggica threw everything at Los Blancos, but this time, some stout defending at the other end kept the game alive. What separated the sides were 2 moments of individual brilliance, and not a result of some footballing spectacle.

The match was closely contested, but ran short of entertainment as it lacked the end product.