Champions League: No Ronny…No Matter

Champions League: No Ronny…No Matter

Real Madrid 3-0 Roma

Real Madrid started the defence of its Champions League title in fine style, showing there is definitely life after Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Kings of Europe head Group H after goals from Isco, Gareth Bale and Mariano saw off Roma. Before tonight’s fixtures, the Champions League 2018 odds placed Julen Lopetegui’s team just outside the top six for an outright trophy win, at 9.50 with SBOBET, but that’s likely to change pretty soon on this evidence.

Roma could be a decent bet for a good run too, especially if Eusebio Di Francesco can get the most out of his talented recruits. Steven N’Zonzi made a start at the Bernabeu, and it’s been a big month for 19-year-old Nicolo Zaniolo who was handed his debut for Roma tonight, having already been called up for the Italy squad. But tonight wasn’t their night as the hosts ran riot.

The big Champions League 2018 news of the day concerned Real’s former hero, Ronaldo, being sent off for Juventus in Valencia. Los Blancos won’t care much about that though, and it might even cheer Roma up!

Highlights of the game

Real Madrid took to the pitch on the back of a hard-fought draw with Athletic Bilbao at the weekend, but they started with plenty of energy and invention. Gareth Bale could have scored as early as the fourth minute with Toni Kroos putting him through on goal, but the Welsh wizard fired his volley just wide.

Following the departure of Alisson for Liverpool, Robin Olsen has been between the sticks for Roma, and he was tested on eight minutes when Luka Modric found Isco. Olsen palmed away Isco’s shot, and then skipper Daniele De Rossi put in a good tackle to deny Bale’s follow up.

As Los Blancos continued to dominate, Bale and Kroos both had shots, while Roma sat deep and only threatened from set pieces. And before the break, Olsen made three great saves in three minutes—from Karim Benzema, Sergio Ramos and Isco.

The opening goal eventually came on the stroke of halftime when De Rossi fouled Isco just outside the box. In the absence of Ronaldo, Isco took the free-kick himself and lifted the ball beautifully over the wall and into the corner with Olsen rooted to the spot.

Keylor Navas had been a spectator in the first half, but Roma came out on the attack in the second and Cengiz Under unleashed a wicked shot which brought a super save from the keeper. But then, almost immediately after, Bale nearly made it two but his shot ricocheted off the crossbar.

He didn’t have to wait long though. Modric found him with a lovely long pass and this time he controlled the ball before putting it away.

That was the end for Roma. In fact, Los Blancos continued to test Olsen to the full, with Kroos, Asensio and Ramos all forcing good saves. At the other end, Roma’s main goal threat, Edin Dzeko, was virtually invisible until he was booked on 76 minutes and eventually tried a header on 88 which Navas saved comfortably.

But there was still time for Los Blancos to produce another moment of magic. Marcelo found Mariano in space on the right, and he evaded his marker before curling a beauty into the far corner.

Key statistics

There’s no doubting the European pedigree of this club. Real Madrid are in their 22^nd consecutive season in the Champions League, the longest run of anyone, and Los Blancos have reached the last four in each of the last eight years—winning the competition in the last three.

So you could say they belong.

Roma are worthy regulars too, reaching the semi-finals last season. The two teams have met 11 times, with Real Madrid winning seven, Roma three and one draw. Los Blancos have now won the last four meetings.

Roma weren’t really in this game after the first goal as the hosts rained 30 shots down on Olsen’s goal, while the visitors managed 13.

It all means Di Francesco’s team hasn’t had a win in five, in all competitions, but it won’t be long at all before they put that right.

What’s next?

Los Blancos are back at the Bernabeu on Saturday when they take on Espanyol, currently fourth in the league after a good start, before they can take a firm grip on Group H in Moscow when they play CSKA.

Roma welcome Czech side FC Viktoria Plzen to the Stadio Olimpico in the next Champions League encounter, but back to league matters first. I Giallorossi can really get their season moving with fixtures against early strugglers Bologna and Frosinone before the small matter of a Rome derby!

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