Real Madrid secured first position in Group G courtesy of a 2-0 win over Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Viktoria Plzen's 2-1 victory over CSKA Moscow in the group's earlier match meant that both Roma and Real Madrid had qualified for the first knockout round before kickoff in Rome.
Los Blancos sealed first place in the section, however, with second-half goals from Gareth Bale and Lucas Vazquez.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of the Champions League Group G clash between Roma and Real Madrid. Both Roma and Real Madrid have collected nine points from their four group fixtures this season, and a win for either would see them advance to the last-16 stage of the competition with one match to spare. Stay tuned for the action.
Tonight will be the 12th meeting between Roma and Real Madrid in European competition. Los Blancos lead the head-to-head seven wins to three, with just one of their 11 meetings finishing all square. Real Madrid recorded a 3-0 win in the reverse match earlier this season, with Isco, Gareth Bale and Mariano Diaz on the scoresheet. The former does not even make the squad tonight.
Real Madrid were also victorious – 2-0 – when they last travelled to Roma in the last-16 stage of the 2015-16 competition. Roma's last win over the Spanish giants did come in Italy, however, with that 2-1 success occurring in 2008. Real Madrid's best result away to Roma, meanwhile, took place in December 2004, when they recorded a 3-0 success in the group stages.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Rome. Both teams are missing some key players tonight, let's have a look at who makes it...
TEAMS!
ROMA: Olsen; Florenzi, Manolas, Fazio, Kolarov; N'Zonzi, Cristante; Cengiz, Zaniolo, El Shaaraway; Schick
MADRID: Courtois; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric, Llorente; Lucas, Benzema, Bale
Kostas Manolas, who missed the defeat to Udinese at the weekend with an ankle injury that he picked up while in action for Greece during the international break, returns to the Roma defence. Daniele De Rossi has not played since the end of October due to a knee problem, however, and misses out once again. Roma's front four is very interesting, with Cengiz Under and Stephan El Shaarawy in the wide positions while 19-year-old Nicolo Zaniolo supports Patrik Schick through the middle.
A garment fit for the 👑
A sneak peak 👀 at the shirt @Totti will receive at tonight's #ASRoma Hall of Fame ceremony... pic.twitter.com/kdExE9RnDN — AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) November 27, 2018
As for the visitors, head coach Santiago Solari has made three changes to the team that started the 3-0 defeat to Eibar at the weekend. Fit-again Dani Carvajal replaces Alvaro Odriozola at right-back, while Marcos Llorente and Lucas Vazquez come in for Dani Ceballos and Marco Asensio.
Isco is not even in the Real Madrid squad tonight, which shows just how far he has fallen since Solari took charge. Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema were both disappointing against Eibar at the weekend, but it is not a surprise that both keep their spot in the starting XI.
Real Madrid will be looking to bounce back from Saturday's shock 3-0 defeat at Eibar in La Liga tonight. Los Blancos had won all four of their matches under the leadership of Solari ahead of the international break, but were well beaten at Eibar on Saturday afternoon.
© Reuters
The capital giants are somehow just five points off the top of La Liga, however, and know that a victory against Roma would see them qualify for the round of 16 as group winners. That said, Madrid will also qualify with a defeat if CSKA fail to beat Plzen in Group G's other match.
The European champions opened their 2018-19 Champions League campaign with a 3-0 win over Roma, but then suffered a 1-0 defeat at CSKA during a very difficult period. The Madrid giants have won their last two in the competition though, beating Plzen home and away.
Real Madrid top Group G on goal difference, and will fancy their chances of progressing to the next round even if they lose tonight. The Spanish outfit have won the Champions League in each of the last three seasons, and have reached at least the semi-finals in each of the last eight campaigns.
🏟👋 Welcome to the Stadio Olimpico! #RMUCL pic.twitter.com/qsVzq753wk — Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 27, 2018
Victory away to Plzen last time out means that Los Blancos have won 12 of their last 20 European away matches, losing just four times. They have also been victorious in each of their last three European games in Italy, having lost four of their previous eight.
Madrid incredibly lost five times between September 26 and October 28, but have triumphed in four of their last five in all competitions, and will be keen to bounce back from what was a very poor showing against Eibar. It seems unlikely that the team will be able to challenge for a fourth straight Champions League crown, but even without Cristiano Ronaldo, not too many sides will relish coming up against Madrid due to their incredible history in the competition.
0 - Real Madrid have not won any of their last seven games with Raphaël Varane in all competitions, losing six of them (D1). Surprising. pic.twitter.com/3sud8d3l2G
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 27, 2018
It has not quite been the start to the 2018-19 Serie A campaign that Roma would have had in mind, but the Italian giants are in a strong position when it comes to making the next round of the Champions League. A record of five wins, four draws and four defeats has left Roma in seventh spot in Italy's top flight, and they are already nine points off third position.
The Italian outfit have a five-point cushion over third-placed CSKA in Group G, however, and will qualify for the round of 16 with a point, providing that CSKA do not overcome Plzen in the night's other match. I Giallorossi have also actually won seven of their last 11 games in all competitions, suffering just two defeats, with Saturday's loss at Udinese ending a five-match unbeaten run.
Roma have won their last three group matches, meanwhile, thumping Plzen 5-0 on home soil before overcoming CSKA home and away. It is the first time that they have won three straight European matches for nine years, and Di Francesco's side will be eyeing another positive result tonight.
All roads lead to Rome tonight...#UCL #RomaReal 🇮🇹 x 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/AmDEgsz4ZK
— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) November 27, 2018
Roma, of course, reached the semi-finals of last season's Champions League before losing to Liverpool, and they famously beat Barcelona to make the final four. It is hard to imagine that they will repeat that run this term, but anything can happen in the knockout round of the competition.
In terms of home form, the Italian outfit have won eight of their last 15 Champions League games in front of their own supporters, although they have only been victorious in two of their last 11 matches against Spanish opposition. Roma have also only won three of their previous 11 meetings with Real Madrid, scoring just nine times in the process and conceding 22.
As mentioned, Real Madrid recorded a 3-0 win in the reverse match earlier this season, with Isco, Gareth Bale and Mariano Diaz on the scoresheet. Real Madrid were also victorious – 2-0 – when they last travelled to Roma in the last-16 stage of the 2015-16 competition. Roma's last win over the Spanish giants did come in Italy, however, with that 2-1 success occurring in 2008.
PREDICTION! This is a very, very tough one to call for a number of reasons. Both teams will enter the match off the back of disappointing league results at the weekend, and we are finding it hard to separate them on the night. Entertaining score draw in Rome.
💫 Champions League 2018/19...
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 27, 2018
🇫🇷 @Benzema: 3 goals, 1 assist
🐲 @GarethBale11: 2 goals, 2 assists#RMUCL | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/441bD1MvIe
A reminder of the two teams for this match...
ROMA: Olsen; Florenzi, Manolas, Fazio, Kolarov; N'Zonzi, Cristante; Cengiz, Zaniolo, El Shaaraway; Schick
MADRID: Courtois; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric, Llorente; Lucas, Benzema, Bale
Here we go then; both sets of players have joined us on the pitch ahead of kickoff in Rome, and the atmosphere is just brilliant. Let's hope for an entertaining night of action!
KICKOFF: Roma kick things off in Rome...
... first position is up for grabs in this group, but both of these teams have qualified for the round of 16 ahead of kickoff, with Plzen beating CSKA in the group's other match. No serious pressure on either team tonight then, although both will be keen to finish top of the section.
Quite a low-key start to this match, with both teams enjoying possession. Roma are the more advanced at the moment, but Real Madrid have not been worried early on in Rome.
El Shaaraway shows his pace to race away from Carvajal in a wide position, and the Real Madrid right-back has to foul the attacker to stop the break. The resulting free kick is delivered into the away side's box, but Courtois gathers. Quite an open feel to the match at the moment.
Kroos finds space in a wide position for Real Madrid before delivering low towards Benzema, but the Frenchman cannot reach it. The home fans are in wonderful voice at the moment.
Roma are the team on the front foot at the moment as they continue to commit players in the final third. Solari comes to the touchline to deliver some information to Benzema.
Benzema combines with Lucas inside the box as Real Madrid look to work a shooting chance, but Fazio is across to make the clearance. The hosts then build an attack down the right.
Not too much to report in the last couple of minutes or so. Real Madrid are having a lot of the ball in Roma's half of the field, but the final pass has not exactly been terrific thus far here.
Pass, pass, pass from Real Madrid as they work the ball from left to right here.
Bale shows his pace in a wide position to dart behind Manolas, but the Welshman just runs out of pitch, and Roma resume from the dead-ball line. Still goalless in this European tie.
El Shaarawy has just been down receiving some treatment following a sprint, but it does seem that the Roma attacker will be fine to continue. Slight lull in proceedings at the moment.
SAVE! Decent save from Olsen to keep out a low strike from Luka Modric.
YELLOW CARD! Modric (Real Madrid) is booked for a foul on El Shaarawy.
ROMA SUB! Roma are forced into a change as Kluivert replaces El Shaarawy.
To be blunt, it is not a fantastic game at the moment. Nothing much happening at either end, with that strike from Modric just about the closest that either side have come to a goal.
SHOT! Half-chance for Kluivert, but his wild strike is over the crossbar.
Little over 15 minutes of the first period left to play here, and we need something to happen. Just a reminder that both teams have already booked their spot in the last-16 stage.
Courtois is quick out of his goal to beat Schick to a through ball as Roma look to catch Real Madrid's defence out. Marcelo then breaks down the other end before seeing his cross blocked.
Real Madrid need more from Bale here, with the Welshman struggling to make his mark. Roma have been bright in the final third, particularly through Under, but the final pass has been lacking.
CLOSE! Varane just manages to turn a Under corner over his own crossbar!
SAVE! Super save from Courtois to keep out an attempt from Schick. Kolarov then smashes one just wide of the post from outside the box. Roma with two good chances!
SAVE! Comfortable save for Olsen to keep out a strike from Kroos.
SAVE! Comfortable save for Courtois to keep out a strike from Kolarov.
CLOSE! Modric misses the Roma goal with a strike from outside the box.
YELLOW CARD! Zaniolo (Roma) is booked for a poor challenge on Llorente.
Not much to shout about in this first period, but both teams have had chances in the latter stages of the half. Just a reminder that both sides have already made the next round.
We are into the first of two additional minutes at the end of the first period.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for Roma to take the lead as Zaniolo puts one on a plate for Under, but the number 17 fires over! It is a quite stunning miss from Under!
HALF TIME: ROMA 0-0 REAL MADRID
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. Easily the best chance of the first half fell to Under just moments ago, but the attacker somehow blazed over the crossbar from close range. We are all square at the half-time break.
STATISTICS! Real Madrid had 56% of the ball in the first period, while they had three shots, two of which were on target. Roma, meanwhile, had three shots on target from their nine attempts. Two yellow cards to report in the first half - Modric in the 21st minute and Zaniolo in the 42nd.
BENCH WATCH! Real Madrid have a number of attackers on their bench tonight, with Asensio, Ceballos, Mariano and Vinicius among those available for Solari. Roma, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Coric and Marcano. The home side have already been forced into a change, however, with Kluivert taking the place of El Shaarawy in the 22nd minute of action.
KICKOFF: Real Madrid resume the action here...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as play develops here.
GOAL! ROMA 0-1 REAL MADRID (BALE)
Quick-fire goal in the second period! Real Madrid take the lead in the 47th minute as Bale takes full advantage of a defensive mistake from Roma before firing into the bottom corner!
Kluivert threatens to fashion a shooting chance inside the Real Madrid box, but Carvajal pushes the youngster off the ball. The Real Madrid defender then blocks a strike from Zaniolo as Roma threaten a leveller. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals here.
SAVE! Good save from Olsen this time to keep out an effort from Bale.
Olsen manages to push a low cross behind as Real Madrid threaten again.
Much more of an open game at the moment as both teams commit players in the final third. A win for Real Madrid tonight would see them secure first position in the group.
Much more of an open game at the moment as both teams commit players in the final third. A win for Real Madrid tonight would see them secure first position in the group.
Florenzi finds space down the right before cutting inside and delivering into the penalty box, but there are no takers. Still 1-0 Real Madrid as the second period continues to gather pace.
SAVE! Kluivert tests Courtois with a low strike, and the stopper saves well.
GOAL! ROMA 0-2 REAL MADRID (LUCAS)
Might well be game, set and match. Real Madrid double their lead in the 59th minute as Lucas Vazquez taps home from close range following a clever header from Benzema!
SAVE! Olsen is on hand to keep out a low strike from Marcelo!
Olsen makes a smart save to keep out an effort from Benzema, but the striker was offside.
ROMA SUB! Coric replaces N'Zonzi for the home side.
SAVE! Another decent-ish save from Olsen to keep out a strike from Benzema.
Kluivert beats Courtois to a loose ball, but there are no takers on the former's cross!
ROMA SUB! Zaniolo is replaced by Karsdorp.
Little under 20 minutes of the second period remaining, and Real Madrid still lead 2-0. As it stands, the Spanish giants will finish as group winners with one match to spare.
Real Madrid are quite deep at the moment as they allow Roma possession of the ball.
Real Madrid look to be preparing a change, with Mariano receiving his instructions.
REAL MADRID SUB! Mariano replaces Benzema for the away side.
SAVE! Comfortable save from Courtois to keep out a strike from Kolarov.
REAL MADRID SUB! Valverde replaces Modric for the away side.
Plenty of movement and pace from Roma in the final third, but the final pass has not really been there. Under also missed that incredible opportunity just before the half-time break.
REAL MADRID SUB! Asensio replaces Bale for the away side.
Roma have the ball inside Real Madrid's half of the field, but not too much is occurring.
Just a reminder that Viktoria Plzen's 2-1 victory over CSKA Moscow in the group's earlier match meant that both Roma and Real Madrid had qualified for the first knockout round before kickoff in Rome. Real Madrid are going to top the group if they secure all three points here.
Kroos delivers a dangerous free kick into the Roma box, but the home side manage to clear their lines. I should not imagine that there will be too much added time here.
We are into the first of four minutes of added time here.
It has been very comfortable for Real Madrid in the second half of this match. Half-chance for a third as Valverde strikes towards goal, but Fazio is on hand to make the block.
YELLOW CARD! Varane (Real Madrid) is booked for a foul on Under.
FULL TIME: ROMA 0-2 REAL MADRID
So there we have it. Real Madrid secure first position in Group G with a 2-0 win over Roma, who have also qualified for the next round despite the defeat. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live commentary once again. See you soon!
