Into the first of three minutes of stoppage time, and there doesn't appear to be another twist in the tale as the tempo slows to a near stand-still. Rudiger plays an inviting delivery into the area from the right, but it catches Dzeko by surprise as he's unable to get on the end of it.
89'
Casemiro enters the game and replaces Cristiano Ronaldo.
The tempo has fizzled out and Real Madrid run more time off the clock, as Casemiro replaces Ronaldo.
87'
F. Totti enters the game and replaces A. Florenzi.
Florenzi is replaced by club legend Francesco Totti, who is given a warm welcome despite the current unrest amongst supporters as a result of the scoreline.
86'
Jesé has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by L. Modrić.
Modric picked out the substitute in the build-up and is credited with the assist.
SURELY A WIN NOW FOR REAL MADRID! It's a piece of individual brilliance from Jese, who drives forward with his first touches of the match and gets inside the area, before firing a shot through the legs of Digne and in at the far post! It's a tremendous strike, leaving Szczesny little chance!
85'
Sergio Ramos gets yellow.
Ramos gets a stray hand up and catches Salah, which sees him into the referee's book. Play stops, but Spalletti is livid as he wants to know why no advantage was played.
84'
POOR TOUCH! Great stuff from Florenzi yet again, and he picks out Salah atop the area in space. All the winger needed to do was control and he was through on goal there, but a heavy touch sees the ball run through for Navas!
82'
Jesé enters the game and replaces J. Rodríguez.
NO PENALTY GIVEN! Roma have a strong case to argue here, and their appeals are not as desperate as they originally appeared! Florenzi takes a pass in the area and Carvajal slides through him, getting none of the ball, but the referee turns and jogs away!
A second change for the hosts sees Jese replace James.
80'
WAS THAT THE CHANCE? Dzeko is certainly onside as he's played through by Perotti, but Varane does just enough to throw the substitute off as his shot strikes the side netting! Half the stadium thought that had gone in!
78'
Brilliant from Digne! James coming to life all of a sudden, as he lifts another superb cross into the area for Benzema, but Digne is on hand to turn aside the forward's header in rather impressive fashion!
Minute
Description
77'
D. De Rossi enters the game and replaces W. Vainqueur.
The hosts make their second change, and the arrival of the experienced Daniele De Rossi is met by a roar of approval from the home fans, with Vanqueur giving way.
76'
COULD HAVE BEEN TWO! Delightful cross in from James, picking out Ronaldo at the far post, and although he's on a difficult angle, he really should be scoring from there! Instead his header bounces just beyond the far post.
74'
INCHES WIDE! That was nearly it! Exquisite hold up play from Dzeko inside the area, fending off Varane before teeing up Vanqueur. The midfielder strikes first-time, and puts everything behind his effort, but it swerves agonisingly wide of the far post!
72'
DOUBLE CHANCE! Salah proves a menacing figure yet again, using his pace to turn Marcelo and drive into the area. He picks his head up and drives a ball across goal for Dzeko, but Varane sticks a leg out to take the ball away from the forward! It comes back to the winger, but his second attempt is blocked as well!
70'
STAT: Roma have won only two of their last 15 Champions League games (D6, L7), that came against CSKA Moscow in September 2014 and Bayer Leverkusen in November 2015.
68'
James is on the touchline being attended to for what appears to be a dislocated shoulder. He fell awkwardly and it fell out of the joint, with the training staff now working to pop it back in. It's not an injury that will force him off, however.
66'
SALAH HAD TO DO BETTER! The ball is worked through the danger area to Salah, in loads of space inside the area. The forward's first touch takes the ball back towards the centre, however, where Madrid have bodies, and as a result his rushed shot is sent straight at Navas. He had to take that outside!
64'
E. Džeko enters the game and replaces S. El Shaarawy.
M. Kovačić enters the game and replaces Isco.
Luciano Spalletti makes his first change of the night, as Edin Dzeko comes on to provide more of a target up top, replacing Stephan El Shaarawy. That will see Perotti move across to the left.
Zidane makes his first switch, with Mateo Kovacic on for Isco.
62'
R. Varane gets yellow.
Clumsy, that, from Varane as he slides in dangerously at the feet of El Shaarawy near the touchline and that will see him pick up the first booking of the match.
61'
These next 30 minutes are so crucial for Roma. They look discouraged now and don't have anywhere near the same intensity, which is the sign of a mentally fragile team. They have to get their heads right and get back into this game, because a second Madrid goal should put this tie to bed.
59'
WHO WAS THAT FOR?! Ronaldo, who this time is a fraction offside despite the referee not spotting it, is played behind the defence and into the area. The weight of the pass takes him to a bit of a tight angle, but he still should have had a shot. Instead he floats a ball towards the far post, but there isn't a team-mate in sight.
57'
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by Marcelo.
That was a good ball, timed even better by Marcelo, to play Ronaldo into space.
REAL MADRID BREAK THE DEADLOCK! Ronaldo times his run well and is played down the left by Marcelo. He cuts back onto his right, just inside the penalty area, causing Florenzi to lose his footing and the Portuguese forward nestles a shot into the top corner!
56'
NAVAS CRUCIALLY OFF HIS LINE! A remarkable diagonal ball is played 40 yards up the pitch by Florenzi, and taken brilliantly in stride by El Shaarawy. He breaks into the area and Navas is out to challenge, and the keeper does enough to close down the angle and turn the shot aside!
54'
STAT: The only previous encounter between Roma and Real Madrid in the knockout stages of the Champions League saw the Italian side progress 4-2 on aggregate in the Last 16 of the 2007/08 edition.
52'
The onslaught continues as Perotti gets himself involved in the fun as well. Roma are very much on the front foot, but the final ball is eluding them. They still haven't been able to test Navas, but it hasn't been for a lack of trying.
50'
Roma's positive start to the half continues as they make strides down the right and win a corner. Pjanic plays it short for Florenzi, who drives to the byline and tries to whip in a cross, but Ramos is able to get a block in. There were appeals for a handball, but nothing is given by the referee.
48'
Clever attempt! Real Madrid start with the bulk of possession, but it's Roma who nick the most dangerous attack early on. Florenzi picks out a good, advanced pass for Salah, who tries to slide a first-time pass through for Pjanic who had made a good run, but Varane is wise to it.
46'
Back underway at the Olimpico! No changes to tell you about at the break.
45' +1
HALF-TIME: ROMA 0-0 REAL MADRID.
45'
SPECIAL DEFENDING! Not sure too many in the world could do that! A lovely ball over the top from Vainqueur sends El Shaarawy behind the defence, and an appropriate first touch keeps the Italian's run alive. He gets into the area on a break, but Varane covers a ton of ground to step in and put in a remarkable challenge to knock the ball behind!
43'
Florenzi has had himself a tremendous first half, and he's at it again, only this time at the other end as he links up well with Salah inside the area. He takes a return pass and his initial cross is blocked, which prompts desperate appeals for handball, before his second is deflected behind for a corner.
41'
VITAL BLOCK! Carvajal continues to provide strong support on the overlap, and makes another prominent run before picking out Benzema in the centre. The striker lays it off to Ronaldo in space, but Florenzi is able to lunge over and turn the forward's shot aside!
39'
STAT: Roma have kept only one clean sheet in their last 20 Champions League games, against BATE Borisov in their last outing (0-0, December 2015).
37'
This has been a game of very distinct periods. It hasn't been very open, meaning the back and forth action has been limited, but both sides have enjoyed prominent spells on the front foot. Still, however, neither goalkeeper has been forced into a proper save as we approach the halfway mark of the match.
35'
Wave after wave of attacks from Real Madrid end up coming to nothing as the ball runs behind for a goal-kick. Manolas put in some vital defensive work with a block and a couple of headed clearances. Szczesny sends it up the pitch and Roma finally get comfortable in possession, enjoying a good spell in the final third before Pjanic's shot is deflected behind for a corner.
33'
OUTSTANDING HIT! That's some effort from Marcelo, latching onto a pass from Ronaldo and launching a delightful volley at goal. He makes wicked contact as it dips over the keeper, but drifts just beyond the far post!
31'
The Giallorossi are struggling to win back the ball, as Madrid have them pinned back deep in their end. The hosts can hardly get a touch of the ball and you get the sense that they need to turn these tides quickly or could find themselves conceding a precious away goal.
29'
STAT: Roma have suffered just one defeat since Luciano Spalletti was named as the replacement for Rudi Garcia, to in-form leaders Juventus (W4, D1, L1).
27'
Real Madrid are starting to dictate the tempo yet again, with Roma keen to sit back and try to catch the visitors on the break, boasting plenty of pace with their attacking trio. The Spanish outfit are finding space on the fringes, in very wide areas, but are being given precious little otherwise.
25'
Roma are so compact in the midfield areas, affording little spaces for the likes of Kroos, Modric and Isco to pick out a pass. The only real available options are out in wider areas, with the hosts refusing to get stretched and create any chinks in their armour.
23'
Vainqueur surely flirting with a booking now as he commits his third foul of the evening, and we're just a quarter of the way through the match. This latest intervention, into the back of Ronaldo, was about as unnecessary as it gets, as Nainggolan was in perfect position to defend the threat himself.
21'
Eyes are locked in every time Ronaldo and Florenzi do battle. It's such an intriguing matchup, one which the Italian has gotten the better of up to this point. The right-back shows good recovery speed to dispossess the forward, who promptly handles the ball. Ronaldo knows what he did and apologises to the referee, before the two players share a quick laugh - that's always nice to see.
19'
STAT: Roma finished second in Group E behind Barcelona to reach the knockout stages despite picking up only six points and conceding 16 goals (both records for teams that reached the latter stages, the first one being a joint record with Zenit’s 2013/14 team).
17'
LIFTED OVER! Florenzi sprints forward from the back, with no one picking him up. He's able to slide a ball through for Perotti, who pulls it back for El Shaarawy at the near post, but Carvajal provides vital cover to force the winger's shot over the bar from close range!
15'
Roma have settled in nicely after a bit of a fragile start. They're winning the 50-50 battles in midfield now and enjoying the greater share of possession over the last five minutes as a result. The tides have shifted completely following Los Blancos' positive start, with momentum now firmly with the Giallorossi.
13'
Lovely bit of interplay inside the area as Salah and Perotti attempt a one-two, but the latter's return pass is cut out smartly by Ramos. That gets the crowd going, however! Lively start at the Stadio Olimpico in what promises to be an exciting and tightly contested match.
11'
The foul count is rising steadily early on as Real Madrid win free-kick after free-kick. The hosts are being caught out simply as a result of Real Madrid out-working them in the important areas. Again they're up to the task defensively, clearing a delivery into the box, before Salah breaks with pace and wins Roma their first corner of the match.
9'
STAT: This is the 19th consecutive season in which Real Madrid – who finished top of Group A ahead of PSG – have reached the knockout stages of the Champions League, the longest run in the history of the competition. They’ve reached the semi-finals in each of the last five seasons.
7'
Ambitious! From close to 40 yards out, Ronaldo stands over a free-kick. He only has eyes for goal, neglecting the movement off the ball of his team-mates as he sends a venomous strike towards the far post, but misses by a few feet. Boos rain down from these home fans, who are quite noisy every time the Portugal international touches the ball.
5'
Plenty of eyes will be on the matchup between Florenzi and Ronaldo down the flank, but Roma have reason to panic early on as Florenzi goes down and stays there after taking Marcelo's cross off his head. That looked a painful block and as with any head injuries, the training staff isn't taking any chances as they come out to check on him.
3'
Bright start from Real Madrid as James and Modric show a good understanding in attack. Roma are organised enough in defence early on, however, and see away with the early pressure, though they've been unable to keep possession themselves for more than a few seconds.
1'
And we're off!
CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS:
Roma will be buoyed by their recent form, and although both coaches insist there isn't a favourite in this tie, Real Madrid are certainly feeling the pressure. The fans are expecting a run deep into the competition's latter stages, considering how they have fallen behind in their chase for a league title. The Giallorossi have little chance at the domestic title themselves, but have reason to fancy their chances after holding Barcelona to a draw at this same venue in the group stage. Zidane is set to make his Champions League coaching bow, but will it be a cause for celebration, or induce more unrest amongst the Madrid faithful?
Roma’s touchline, not to be outdone, comes with intrigue of its own. Today marks exactly one month to the day since Luciano Spalletti returned as Roma boss, and his appointment has resulted in a revival of sorts for the capital club. Following a torrid conclusion Rudi Garcia’s tenure, the Giallorossi are climbing back up the table and remain within touching distance of the top three. Whether or not their domestic surge will translate to success on a grander stage remains to be seen.
Hello and welcome to live coverage from the Stadio Olimpico as Roma play host to Real Madrid in the first leg of their round of 16 Champions League tie! Zinedine Zidane begins a new chapter this evening, following an illustrious career as a player in the competition – in which he won the title in 2002 – taking charge of his first Champions League match as a coach. He was Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant when they won the famous La Decima in 2014, but the Frenchman will be eager to carve out his own name in the managerial ranks.
ROMA (4-3-3): Szczesny; Florenzi, Manolas, Rudiger, Digne; Pjanic, Vainqueur, Nainggolan; Salah, El Shaarawy, Perotti.
SUBS: Dzeko, Totti, Maicon, Falque, De Rossi, Keita, De Sanctis.
REAL MADRID (4-3-3): Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Kroos, Isco; James, Ronaldo, Benzema.
Just one solitary change made by Luciano Spalletti following their victory over Carpi on the weekend, as striker Edin Dzeko is replaced by midfielder and fellow countryman Miralem Pjanic. He will form a trio in midfield with Radja Nainggolan and William Vainqueur. Diego Perotti fills in at striker as a result, flanked by Mohamed Salah and Stephan El Shaarawy. The back line remains the same. Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi both return from injury, but have been relegated to a spot amongst the substitutes.
Zidane has to make do without the injured duo of Pepe (foot) and Gareth Bale (calf), although he welcomes Marcelo back in the squad following a shoulder problem. The Brazilian assumes his regular position at left-back, pushing Daniel Carvajal back over to the right and Danilo to the bench. The lone other change sees Isco return in midfield, forcing Matteo Kovacic to a place amongst the subs. Despite rumours of James Rodriguez suffering from a knock, the Colombian keeps his place in attack alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
The pre-match formalities are behind us and these players take their place on the pitch in front of a rambunctious crowd at the Stadio Olimpico! This historic venue has provided an illustrious atmosphere for this mouth-watering round of 16 first leg clash.
An entertaining contest at the Stadio Olimpico, although despite some spirited attacking football, neither keeper has really been forced into action as the game remains scoreless at the interval. It's anyone's guess as to which team will take control in the second half!
That's all for our live coverage from the Stadio Olimpico. Thanks for following along! Good bye.
Zinedine Zidane picks up a win in his Champions League coaching bow, as a pair of second-half goals give Los Blancos a comfortable lead to take back with them to the Bernabeu. The scoreline will suggest otherwise, but it was far from routine from the hosts who took advantage of a number of missed Roma chances to hold onto the clean sheet and bag a pair of crucial away goals.
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