The Real Champs
Fansided

Champions League: Real Madrid top Group G after win against Roma

By Mushtaq Nizamdin

AS Roma v FC Real Madrid : UEFA Champions League Group GReal Madrid greeting the supporters at Olimpico Stadium in Rome, Italy on November 27, 2018.(Photo by Matteo Ciambelli/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
AS Roma v FC Real Madrid : UEFA Champions League Group GReal Madrid greeting the supporters at Olimpico Stadium in Rome, Italy on November 27, 2018.(Photo by Matteo Ciambelli/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
ROME, ITALY – NOVEMBER 27: (L-R) Justin Kluivert of AS Roma, Marcos Llorenta of Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League match between AS Roma v Real Madrid at the Stadio Olimpico Rome on November 27, 2018 in Rome Italy (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
ROME, ITALY – NOVEMBER 27: (L-R) Justin Kluivert of AS Roma, Marcos Llorenta of Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League match between AS Roma v Real Madrid at the Stadio Olimpico Rome on November 27, 2018 in Rome Italy (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images) /

First Half

Like we have seen many times with this Real Madrid team, they came out of the gate slower than molasses. Unable to string passes together, they were suppressed in their own half by Roma who looked to charge quickly and score early on. Thankfully, that was not the case as the Whites finally found their feet.

Dani Carvajal was exposed a few times allowing Stephan El Shaawary to turn on the afterburners down the left flank. As a result, Dani opted for fouling the winger as he was unable to keep up. Lucas Vazquez also struggled with misplaced passes giving away possession like Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.

From there on, Madrid picked up the pace and started creating chances of its own. Toni Kroos became heavily involved in the game putting in some great crosses as well as testing Roma keeper Robin Olsen.

The best chances of the half came from Karim Benzema who wasn’t unable to meet Toni Kroos’ precise cross beating the defender and keeper. Luka Modric also had a great crack at goal at the top of the box after a lay off from Lucas Vazquez.

Roma took over in the last 10-15 minutes as they flooded Real Madrid’s box, making the defenders and Thibaut Courtois earn their paychecks. The home team caused some mayhem with shots whistling just wide of the posts. Bodies flew around like flying fish in an effort to lighten the load on Courtois.

Roma could have easily been up 1-0 going into halftime as Real Madrid had a lapse in judgment giving the ball up in their own corner. Working the ball towards the box, Cengiz Ünder was unable to keep the ball down and sent it to the moon, less than 3 yards away from the net.

Home/Analysis