Real overturned as Mancini earns Roma net advantage

AS Roma 2 Real Madrid 1: David Pizarro and Mancini scored as AS Roma came from behind to take charge of their Champions League last 16 tie against Real Madrid last night with a 2-1 first-leg win.

Real went ahead with their first attack in the eighth minute when Raul diverted a Guti strike into the net after Arjen Robben had broke down the left and cut the ball back.

Chilean midfielder Pizarro drilled Roma level in the 24th after Real's attempt to clear a Mancini cross landed at his feet.

Mancini slipped in the winner in the 58th minute when captain Francesco Totti found himself in space thanks to Gabriel Heinze's failed attempt to cut out a pass and was able to put the Brazilian winger through on goal.

After falling behind Marco Cassetti tried to hit back for the home side immediately with a powerful strike from the edge of the box that Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas did well to save.

Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy then had the ball in the back of the Roma net but his tap-in from a parried shot was disallowed for offside.

Van Nistelrooy had a shout for a penalty turned down and Raul headed a good chance wide shortly before Pizarro's equaliser.

Both sides looked more cautious after conceding early on and the rest of the first half was short of goalmouth action.

Roma make a bright start after the break and French midfielder Ludovic Giuly threw off his marker in the area with some neat footwork only to hoof his shot high and wide.

Sergio Ramos came close to restoring parity after Mancini's goal with a long-distance strike that went narrowly wide. Roma survived another scare when goalkeeper Doni fumbled a shot in front of Van Nistelrooy, but defender Juan cleared.

The Romans then wasted a great opportunity for a third when they had the Real defence outnumbered four to two, before van Nistelrooy thumped the ball against the post 10 minutes from time.

It is the first time in four games that the Spanish champions have failed to beat Roma at the Stadio Olimpico.

ROMA: Doni, Panucci (Tonetto 67), Mexes, Juan (Ferrari 76), Cassetti, De Rossi, Pizarro (Aquilani 62), Perrotta, Giuly, Mancini, Totti. Subs not used: Bertagnoli, Cicinho, Vucinic, Taddei. Booked: De Rossi, Perrotta, Cassetti.

REAL MADRID: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro, Heinze, Miguel Torres, Diarra (Drenthe 79), Guti, Gago,Robben (Julio Baptista 79), Raul, van Nistelrooy. Subs Not Used: Dudek, Salgado, Soldado, Higuain, Balboa.Booked: Diarra, Miguel Torres, Sergio Ramos. Goals: Raul 8.

Referee: H Fandel (Germany).

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times