A footballing miracle may be needed as Roma travel to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu to face Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie.
Despite losing the first match 2-0, the Giallorossi did show that they could keep up with Real Madrid for most of the first game, although they were eventually undone by the talented opposition attack.
Champions League aside, Luciano Spalletti’s men come into the match after securing seven consecutive wins in Serie A. Their impressive form was encapsulated by a 4-1 thrashing of Fiorentina during Friday’s night crucial showdown for the Serie A third spot.
Meanwhile, the Spanish giants are experiencing a slightly staggered period of form despite their recent domestic 7-1 win over Celta Vigo, in which Cristiano Ronaldo scored four. They are worryingly 12 points adrift of La Liga leaders Barcelona and also lost during their recent derby against local rivals Atletico Madrid.
It is a different story in the Champions League, however, as they previously obtained 16 points in the group and are still unbeaten in the competition this season.
Back in 2008 Roma managed to win 2-1 at the Bernabeu, thanks to goals from Mirko Vucinic and Rodrigo Taddei, eventually qualifying thanks to a corresponding home victory. However, Giallorossi fans will be sure to take primary inspiration from their narrow 1-0 away victory in 2002, in which Francesco Totti received a standing ovation after scoring the winner.
In terms of tactical structure, Spalletti will most probably rely on Edin Dzeko up front for the Lupi, who could be supported by Diego Perotti, Stephan El Shaarawy and Mohamed Salah behind him. Miralem Pjanic may also slide back in to the middle alongside Seydou Keita, someone who knows how to beat Madrid having done it 11 times with Barcelona. Unfortunately Daniele De Rossi will miss out due to an injury, whilst Totti will most likely start from the bench.
Zinedine Zidane on the other hand cannot count on Karim Benzema for the European fixture, who is out with an hamstring injury, therefore he may start 18-year-old Borja Mayoral between Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale on the flanks.
Form Guide: Real Madrid (W-L-D-W-W) Roma (W-W-L-W-W)
Expected Starting XI’s
Real Madrid: Keylor Navas; Carvajal, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Kroos, Isco; Bale, Borja Mayoral, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Roma: Szczesny; Florenzi, Zukanovic, Manolas, Digne; Pjanic, Keita; Salah, El Shaarawy, Perotti; Dzeko.
Infographics courtesy of https://sporticos.com/en-gb/2016-03-08/148539-match-real-madrid-vs-as-roma
