Roma should thank their lucky stars that they’re still in the Champions League after a disastrous group campaign, particularly on the defensive end. They’re finally starting to pick up their play of late under the guidance of a new manager. But have they improved enough to go toe-to-toe with mighty Real Madrid in the first leg of their Round of 16 matchup?
Read on below for a complete preview of this Italy vs. Spain showdown. Meanwhile, check out our preview of Wednesday’s other first leg tie, Gent vs. Wolfsburg.
In any other year, Roma would’ve been easily eliminated in the group stage. The Italians won just one game in six and gave up 16 goals – tied for the second-most during the group stage. However, that was still enough to just barely beat out Leverkusen for the coveted second spot behind Barcelona in Group E.
Roma, though, are starting to pull themselves together in Serie A after a prolonged slump which cost manager Rudi Garcia his job. After a draw and a loss, Roma have won their last four league games in row under new boss Luciano Spalletti and have risen to fourth in the table.
Spalletti has a nice array of attacking talent in his disposal with Mohamed Salah, Miralem Pjanic and Stephan El Shaarawy. El Shaarawy, a loan signing from AC Milan during last month’s transfer window, has made an immediate impact with two goals and an assist in his first four games – all Roma wins.
Look for Spalletti’s team to be its most aggressive during the home leg, where it has the best chance to pick up a positive result. The width that Salah and El Shaarawy can supply will be an important weapon for Roma against Real, who don’t defend the wings particularly well.
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Betting on Real Madrid
Much like Roma, Real Madrid also made a coaching change recently as Zinedine Zidane took over for Rafa Benitez at the start of January. Real have gone undefeated in six games under Zizou (five wins, one draw) and have scored at least four goals in four of those games.
Although, Zidane will be hard-pressed to improve upon Real’s record during the Champions League group stage. The Spanish giants went undefeated (5-1-0) in six Group A games with 19 goals scored and just three conceded. The 16 points they collected was the most by any team, while their +16 goal difference was tied for the best with Bayern Munich.
Cristiano Ronaldo has once again been on top of his game in the Champions League. The Portuguese superstar is currently tops in the scoring charts with 11 goals in just six games.
Zidane has helped improve the balance in Real’s side that was missing for much of the season. He could still be without the services of Gareth Bale for the first leg in Italy, but Real has more than enough attacking weapons to make up for the Welshman’s absence.
Real haven’t quite been as prolific away from the Bernabeu – they’ve scored 49 goals at home compared to just 21 away in the league – but they should be able to find their way through a Roma defense that’s been pretty porous all tournament long.
Writer’s Prediction
Ronaldo is on target again as Real Madrid (-146) take a 2-1 advantage onto the second leg.
