Champions League, Roma vs Real Madrid: Full highlights, final score and more

Roma welcomed Real Madrid in the Champions League with a tall order on their plate. Here is a full look back at all the action with highlights and videos.

This Champions League game took the standard flow of a football match from the start. Roma came out, well aware of the threat opposite them, and cautiously prepared to counter attack. However, after that initial 30 minutes of relevance, the pendulum swung completely in Real Madrid’s favor. Ronaldo was ever-present, always on the brink of doing something special. Roma was vigilant, seeing him to the ground more times than not.

The caginess of the match eroded into the crowd, as even the fans were searching for things to cheer about. In fact, Real Madrid did not land their first shot on goal until ten minutes into the second half. The second half was the same way, only with more threat from Roma. Salah continued to trouble Marcelo and Ramos but they proved able to deal with it.

Ronaldo finally broke down the fall, somewhat at least. A splendid Marcelo long ball picked out Ronaldo, who fired a ball off ofa clip from Florenzi. It ended up in the back of the net. The clip made all the difference, but the pass arguably deserved a goal anyway.

From there. Roma knew what they had to do. They had to score as the away goal can be a deal breaker in the Champions League. They created some dangerous chances but Real Madrid was always there to deal with them. Roma’s opportunities continued to increase in magnitude but in the end, it merely led to another Real Madrid goal by Jese.

This Champions League match ended up where many would have expected.

Three stars

Marcelo: Marcelo had to deal with Roma’s chief threat, Salah, all day and he kept the Egyptian quiet. As always, Marcelo was always contributing to the attack as well. Salah could have had a very good day on the counter if not for Marcelo’s ability to recover and shut him down. Marcelo was also responsible for the magnificent pass that found Ronaldo.

Sergio Ramos: Anytime a rare run got past Marcelo, it was Ramos who was there to flawlessly pick up the pieces. Even when runs came straight at the demonstrative Spaniard he was there to stomp out any potential flame caused by Roma.

Mohamed Salah: The primary danger man for Roma. He was a threat going forward on the counterattack. Marcelo and Ramos were troubled with him all match. Even though he was thwarted by them more times than not, he still beat them on occasion.

Highlights

Given that Real Madrid did not even get their first shot on target until the 53rd minute, the highlights were rather scarce. Unless you count tackles on Ronaldo as Champions League highlights.

But the goal finally came. Although it is the pass that sets it up that deserves the most credit. Have a look:

Marcelo’s pass was again magnificent and deserving of it’s own place in the Champions League highlights. But that would not be all this Champions League match had to offer. Jese went on a barreling run all by himself and finished off any hope Roma had at a Champions League quarter final berth with this splendid effort:

If it looks out of nowhere, that’s because it was.

Next Week

Roma will be looking to climb their way up the Serie A table with their upcoming domestic match ups. They face Palermo, Empoli and Fiorentina in three matches where they will be hoping for maximum points. The journey to the Bernebeu for the Champions League is March 8th.

Real Madrid hope to rampage their way through some more La Liga fixtures. They will be matched up against Malaga, Atletico Madrid, Levante and Celta Vigo. By the end of that run, no doubt Zidane will expect to be in second place. After that, it will be Champions League action again.