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Real Madrid look to put the kitten in the mailbox and progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the 6th year running as they host AS Roma at the Santiago Bernabeu in the second leg of the round of 16, holding a 2-goal advantage.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Jese Rodriguez were on target when the sides met in Rome in the first leg 3 weeks ago to give Los Blancos a commanding lead heading into the reverse, but need to be wary of a Roma side that have been firing on all cylinders of late.
The Giallorossis have won 7 Serie A games on the trot and are currently at the peak of their powers. Real Madrid have been warned and it promises to be a gripping clash in the Spanish capital this Tuesday.
Here’s everything you need to know about the game.
Kickoff and Telecast
Date and Time: 9th March 2016 – 01:15AM (IST)
Live Telecast: Ten Action, Ten HD
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Team News
Hosts Real Madrid will have Luka Modric and Toni Kroos back in contention after sitting out of the game against Celta Vigo, but remain without the services of striker Karim Benzema with a hamstring. Gareth Bale is expected to make his first start in nearly two months.
AS Roma will make the trip without Daniele De Rossi and Antonio Rudiger, both of whom are currently nursing a calf and thigh problem respectively.
Probable line-ups
Real Madrid (4-4-2): Navas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Kroos, Isco, Rodriguez; Bale, Ronaldo.
AS Roma (4-3-3): Szczesny; Florenzi, Manolas, Zukanovic, Digne; Pjanic, Vainqueur, Nainggolan; Salah, Perotti, El Shaarawy.
Form guide
Real Madrid prepared for the encounter in an emphatic way, beating Celta Vigo 7-1 at home as Ronaldo bagged a quadruple. However, Los Blancos saw their La Liga title tilt all but extinguish after the disappointing 0-1 loss to bitter city rivals Atletico Madrid at the Bernabeu, leaving them 12 points off the pace with leaders Barcelona.
All that’s now left to play for is the Champions League, winning which would be a highlight of an otherwise blotted copybook. And also retain Zidane’s job.
Last 5 games: W-D-L-W-W (Last result: Real Madrid 7-1 Celta Vigo)
Quite amusingly, AS Roma appear to be the better-shaped team heading into the match. With 7 consecutive victories in the league since the heart-breaking defeat to Juventus 6 weeks ago, La Maggica have brought their faltering season back on track.
New manager Luciano Spalletti has steadied the ship which was otherwise sinking under Rudi Garcia, and are definitely the form team coming into this game.
Last 5 games: W-L-W-W-W (Last result: AS Roma 4-1 Fiorentina)
Key stats
- Real Madrid have won 28 of their last 33 Champions League games at home.
- Real Madrid have not lost a Champions League game at home by 2 clear goals since the 2-0 defeat to Barcelona back in 2011.
- AS Roma haven't won an away game in the Champions League since November 2010.
- AS Roma were 2-1 victors the last time they stepped into the Bernabeu (March 2008).
- Cristiano Ronaldo has 4 goals against Roma in 5 appearances.
Key battle
Marcelo vs Mohamed Salah
AS Roma forward Mohamed Salah has been in a rich vein of form of late, scoring goals left, right and centre. In a tie where hopes are scarce as a hen’s teeth, the visitors will bank upon the impish Egyptian for the guiding light and hope to cause the impossible turnaround.
With 6 goals in the last 7 appearances, the diminutive winger will look to add another strike to his name while going against the mighty Real Madrid. With the pace of a Hennessey Venom GT and a vision as stout as that of a Peregrine Falcon, Salah carries the biggest threat coming from the visitors and Real Madrid left-back Marcelo better know what he’s going up against.
Having shut him up in the first leg, the Brazilian will have to repeat the tricks again to keep Salah under check, albeit, with greater acumen as the 23-year old has taken his game up by a notch since their last meeting.
Prediction
Despite the 2-goal advantage, Real Madrid shouldn’t take anything for granted. They won the first leg at the same stage last year by an identical scoreline against Schalke, only to lose 4-3 at home in the return leg. Considering they’re worse off at the same juncture this year, Blancos are running the risk of a similar humiliation.
A riveting clash is seemingly on the cards, with the Whites to advance only with a greater aggregate score.
Predicted score: Real Madrid 2-2 AS Roma
Betting Odds (bet365)
Real Madrid – 2/5
Draw – 41/10
AS Roma – 67/10
