Champions League Preview: Real Madrid-Roma
Real Madrid will turn in relief to their undisturbed European run where they enjoy yet another quiet first phase. However if you compare Real's run this season with the one they had last year, you must admit it has all been much less peachy than planned.
Real Madrid will turn in relief to their undisturbed European run where they enjoy yet another quiet first phase. However if you compare Real's run this season with the one they had last year, you must admit it has all been much less peachy than planned.
With Roma as a steady fixture, and with no offence to Genk or AEK, it should have been way easier for Real this term. Yet it was not like that. The reason is simple to understand: the Merengues are - and people are beginning to suspect it - weaker.
Pressure and scrutiny are so strong above the Casa Blanca that it took just one defeat (against Racing de Santander) and two draws to spark up a crisis swiftly dwarfed by Vicente Del Bosque. Like last year, the moustached tecnico rubbished any report things are getting out of hand. However a blatant squad depth problem could become a major cause for concern for Real.
The Bernabeu match could have been a somehow "quiet" one for Roma as well, if only they managed to do their job one week ago. Just like the Merengues, Capello's men will join this contest after a disappointing home draw, but differently from Real, who lead the table with 8 points and look pretty safe, Roma's chances to reach the second phase are in jeopardy. If the Giallorossi won't collect the three points in Madrid and AEK will defeat Genk in Athens, they will be forced to beat the Greek side next week at the Olimpico.
Roma had a shaky start to the season, as the home defeat against Real was followed by two straight losses in as many Serie A rounds. However, Capello's men have been looking much healthier of late, collecting ten points in their last four domestic league contests.
LATEST TEAM NEWS
Real Madrid confirmed on Tuesday afternoon Zinedine Zidane and Esteban Cambiasso will be available for the match with Roma. Both trained at the Ciudad Deportiva with the rest of the first team. Raul should hold his place, as well as Luis Figo who did not feel any pain in his ailing knee despite problems re-emerged recently.
No injuries or suspensions for Roma coach Fabio Capello, who will have the entire roster at his disposal for the Bernabeu clash. It's not clear whether Roma will face the Merengues with their usual 3-5-2 lineup or with the more offensive 3-4-1-2, in which case skipper Francesco Totti would play behind the offensive duo formed by Batistuta and Delvecchio. Influential midfielder Damiano Tommasi, who didn't play in last Sunday's Rome derby against Lazio, should be back in the starting eleven.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Real Madrid: Raul. If the Merengues' repentence comes from one man, it has to be him. Raulito must show the right way and lead Real to victory.
Roma: Marco Delvecchio. He spent the whole first part of the season on the bench, but Capello surprisingly fielded him in the Capital derby and the former Italy international paid him back with a goal and a solid performance. Roma might need him at the Bernabeu, and even if he won't be in the starting lineup Capello knows that he can count on a very reliable striker.