Roma - Real Madrid

After defeat in Torino against Juventus, Roma will try to make some soundly result in Champions League. Spalletti’s team is eleven points off table leader Inter and it is hard to believe that they could overtake Milan’s team in next 15 rounds. Consequently, their ambitions in CL raise, but they will host the best football team ever, Real Madrid. The poor record against Madrid’s giant is bad guarantee for supporters that they will watch more CL games this season at Olimpico, but in matches like this tradition means nothing.

Anyway, Spaletti has another chance to find a way for quarter final qualification. His specific style of playing is changed for a little thanks to Mirko Vucicnic, who takes a striker role. Last season without classical striker Roma showed attractive football. Main quality was their unpredictable playing in mid-field, where several players could be in chance to score. Totti was only forward and he took all pressure on his back. This season he has showed extra quality and great form thanks to Vucinic, who has taken focus of defense players and Totti has got more space. After foot injury his form faded, but big games, like this one, could inspire him and then all Roma’s team plays perfect.

In last three matches, they recorded two defeats and it is not right time to host Real. On the other hand, seven matches without goal conceded at Olimpico gives them enough confidence to believe in similar outcome once again.

Visitors have different idea, but it is question about their away form. They lost last two away matches in Primera against weak teams, Almeria and Betis. Their advantage on the top of the table is just five points, currently. It means that Schuster’s side has to stay focused on both fronts and it could be a problem even for team with long list of quality players.

Good news for the Blancos is that captain Raul is fit after injury he picked up against Betis. His role behind Ruud Van Nistelroy could be a crucial for Reals’ efficiency. Schuster has problems in defense line due to Marcelo and Metzelder are injured. Hainze will be back, but key man in defense will be Fabio Cannavaro. He will make 100th UEFA appearance and he has a huge experience and knowledge of Italian football. Anyway, rotations in defense could result with misunderstanding and dangerous cracks, so Italian national player will have a lot of job to do.

I don’t believe that home team will show too much respect to Real. Last season Spaletti showed that he knows how to prepare team for big European clashes and I think that Roma has a chance to beat Real tonight. Odds are great, and I will stake 7 at 2.55 with Expekt.com