CL last 16: Real Madrid - AS Roma

[lionel]

the draw was made...

Real Madrid - AS Roma

first leg in rome, the second in madrid.

[Pennywise]

Well, I'm glad Real Madrid avoided Liverpool and Arsenal.

AS Roma was perhaps together with Lyonnais the most difficult team they could have draw, but I am not that pessimistic. IMO there is 60-40 to Madrid, but Roma have a good team with many good players...and If they can get a good result in Rome and play good, defensive football in the spanish capital....they have a good chance of beating out Los Merengues.

Its very much up in these matches 'to have the day'. It will be a very difficult away match in Rome.

[Robinho4Ever]

definitely not the draw I prayed for, but it could be really tougher !!

Roma is a really good team, but to be realistic, we are lot better ... I'm sure we will beat Roma !!

We almost have better players in every position, and the chemistry between our players seems to be good this season, so there's no reason to fear Roma. But the most important thing is that our players will be serious, and don't think that the win will come so easy...

[Robinho4Ever]

Spalletti: We Can Beat Madrid


Roma coach Luciano Spalletti has insisted that the Giallorossi have the quality to knock Real Madrid out of the Champions League. Spalletti also looked ahead to Saturday's match with Sampdoria.


Roma boss Luciano Spalletti admitted after the draw for the final 16 of the Champions League that Real Madrid weren't the opponents he'd been hoping for.

However, the Italian stressed that his team has more than enough quality to prevail over two legs against the Spanish giants. “It depends on us," said Spalletti. "If we’re at our best then we can beat anyone.

"On paper I would have preferred Porto or Sevilla, but when you reach this level there are always going to be difficulties,” added the coach, whose side finished second in Group F behind Manchester United.

Weak Away From Home

Real Madrid top La Liga at the moment, but it hasn't escaped Spalletti's attention that los Meringues were unconvincing away from home in the Champions League.

Bernd Schuster's side only managed draws at Lazio and Olympiacos, while they lost 3-2 away to Werder Bremen. “The team struggled a little at the start of the season, then found their path," analysed the Roma boss. "Real focus more on the quality of their play than a physical approach.”

Order Irrelevant

The Spaniards travel to the Stadio Olimpico for the first leg of the tie, but Spalletti doesn't believe the order of games holds much significance. “The order of the games is of little importance. People think that playing the second leg at home is an advantage, but it is purely psychological," he opined.

Sampdoria Spectacle


Looking closer to home, the Giallorossi take on Sampdoria at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday in a game that pits Spalletti against his old club.

Francesco Totti is back for the Lupi, but they'll have to do without the services of Alberto Aquilani once again. “Alberto Aquilani still does not feel secure," revealed the coach. "But Totti took part in full training, could kick the ball well and is available.”

Rodrigo Taddei is also injured, while suspensions affect not just Philippe Mexes, but also Roma old-boy and current Samp striker Antonio Cassano. “They have earned some good results even without Cassano," warned Spalletti ahead of the clash. "But he is in good shape and he came to visit us when we travelled up for the game with Genoa. Cassano was very critical about his own behaviour, but the difference will be when he manages to turn that into action.”

Well he's a bit too self-confident

[Pennywise]

Of course can Roma beat Real Madrid. All the teams that are wider in the CL can beat each other.

AS Roma is may not big favorites for this match, but that can just eb a benefit. A good result in Rome and good Italian defensive football in Madrid is the key to go further.