Real Madrid dug deep on Wednesday at Stadio Olimpico to grind out a well deserved victory against a determined and dangerous Roma in the Champions League Round of 16 first leg
After a difficult first half in which Roma tormented Madrid’s defence with long balls and pace, Cristiano Ronaldo finally broke the deadlock on 57th minute when his long-range shot clipped Roma’s Alessandro Florenzi before finding the back of the net.
Substitute Jese increased the tally in the 86th minute to give Madrid some comfort ahead of the return leg in Madrid in a fortnight.
Substitute Jese was allowed enough time to angle a shot into the bottom left corner of Wojciech Szczesny’s goal, leaving Roma requiring a second-leg miracle to progress.
In Belgium, Wolfsburg also ran away with a 3-2 victory at the Ghelamco Arena. Thanks to a superb brace by Julian Draxler .
The massive away goals put Gent’s Champions League hopes in jeopardy.