Real Madrid 2-0 AS Roma : Five Talking Points

Real Madrid progressed to the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the 6th year running as Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez got among the goals to hand the Whites a 2-0 win over AS Roma in the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, rounding off a comfortable 4-0 aggregate victory.Entering the fray with a 2-goal cushion, Los Blancos seemed well poised to advance, but the Giallorossis made sure their path to the next round was not so plain-sailing. The visitors though second best for much of the game, played their heart out till the last minute and made Zidane’s side work their socks off to claim the win.Here are some of the major talking points from the riveting encounter in the Spanish capital.

#1 Entertainment served hot

Ronaldo rejoices after scoring.

Whilst the game was a joy to behold for the Real Madrid fans, the biggest winners today were the neutrals watching the game, who were served a treat. The game got off to a flyer from the get-go and did not recede until the final whistle.

Both sides went all guns blazing and gave each other a run for the money. With Real Madrid pressing all over the pitch and the Romans repelling with all the valiance they could garner, the match had all the appeal of an unstoppable force colliding with an immovable object. As the visitors slowly crawled their way into the game after the break, chances were aplenty at both ends as the teams pushed with all vim and vigour.

Regardless of the outcome, it was a match that had entertainment written all over it.

#2 Real Madrid not clinical enough

The hosts had 32 shots on goal.

The scoreline may suggest otherwise, but Real Madrid weren’t as clinical as they normally are on any given day. Delve a little deeper into the statistics and you shall come to know how.

Through the course of the game, the hosts had accrued a mammoth 32 shots at goal compared to only 7 by the visitors, 10 of which were on target. In such a case, a return of just 2 goals appears a tad too low. With Ronaldo, James Rodriguez, Bale and Modric surging forward at will, the Spaniards managed to give Romans the heebie-jeebies with their every foray forward.

However, the only blot was the lack of a cutting edge, which otherwise would have resulted in a more comprehensive victory for the Spanish giants. Real Madrid were rampant in their 7-1 demolition of Celta Vigo at the weekend, but unfortunately, that kind of clinical edge went amiss today.

#3 Roma refuse to throw in the towel

Mohamed Salah driving forward for Roma.

Despite having little to no hopes of progressing, Roma approached the game with confidence and played to the gallery. The visitors were not only encouraging in their showings but also packed a hefty punch.

Although having been forced to spend much of the first-half on the back foot, La Maggica did manage to create a few good chances. Post-break, the Serie A outfit upped their attacking game and proved to be a greater threat going forward. Although Mohamed Salah was at fault for squandering 3 gilt-edged chances, it still did not rob the side out of the fact that they were brilliant on the night.

The writing was on the wall for Luciano Spaletti’s side, yet, they refused to throw in the towel till the last second of the game.

#4 Ronaldo can score against \'big teams\'

Real Madrid ace Cristiano Ronaldo has come under heavy criticism from the fans and media alike in recent times, for going amiss against the bigger and mightier sides this season. Whilst he has taken the lower ranked sides to the cleaners by plundering goals left, right and centre, that same shooting boots seemed to go missing when he’s up against a formidable name.

As the Portuguese preener struck for the second time against Roma, he reminded everyone what he is still capable of. Beating his marker to the ball laid from the right by Lukas Vazquez, Ronaldo stretched his right foot to nudge the ball home from close range past Szczesny and break the deadlock. The goal was his 5th against AS Roma and the 13th in the competition this season.

Although a goal or two like this will not completely vindicate him of the accusation labeled at him, but it is a timely reminder to his doubters that he is still a big game player and is capable of scoring against ‘big teams’ as well.

#5 Real Madrid\'s trophy hopes survives another day

With Copa Del Rey long gone and trailing arch-rivals Barcelona by a massive 12 points in La Liga, the Champions League appears the last drinking saloon on the road in an otherwise disappointing campaign for Real Madrid. Their progression to the next round has only kept their sole trophy hopes alive, but things may get murkier from here on.

While Bayern Munich and Barcelona are favourites as ever, the likes of PSG and Manchester City too have appeared formidable in the competition this year. Being drawn against any one of these teams will be a Herculean challenge for Zinedine Zidane’s troops, and their title credentials will be truly tested.

Madrid’s season hangs in the balance, with the ‘Undecima’ dream their only hopes to salvage the season. Regardless of whom they take on in the next round, Real Madrid's title hopes have survived another day.