REAL MADRID travelled to Italy to play AC ROMA for Group superiority. The result of the early match between the Groups other two teams (Moscow 1-Viktoria 2) had secured the passage into the next phase of the Champions League to both sides. However a victory for Real Madrid would secure top spot & at least shake off a series of bad performances in the domestic competition to wash their image. The final result a victory for REAL MADRID by two goals, a result somewhat deceiving as AC Roma missed some very clear goal opportunities which could have changed the final scoreline.
Real Madrid only began to find their Football in the second half after scoring the opener from a terrible Roma defensive mistake in the 47th min that BALE managed to take advantage & score from a Roma defender "assist". With Real Madrid lifted in confidence & Roma leaving spaces in midfield & in defence to look for the draw, a marvellous cross into the square found Benzema who headed the ball into the path of LUCAS VAZQUEZ who scored the team's second goal in the 59th min. From here onward ROMA created some more chances but as all night, missed very clear opportunities.
The news of the night in reference to Real Madrid, apart from their victory, was that ISCO was left out of the team for a 6th time in a row. Speculation is high that the Spanish International is out of favour with Coach Santiago Solari & that the doors have opened up for Isco to find another Club. Two names are sounding, Manchester City & Napoles.
FINAL RESULT: AC ROMA 0 - REAL MADRID 2
VALENCIA CF travelled to Turin (Italy) to face JUVENTUS FC in a must win match if they were to have any chance of advancing into the next stage of Champions League. The Spanish Club put in a brave performance during the first half but were grinded down from a more experience & quality Italian side that scored through MANDZUKIC in the 59th min after a grand Cristiano Ronaldo assist.
Valencia had a golden goal opportunity at the end of the 1ºst half when defender DIAKHABY headed towards goal but the Juventus goalie Szcezsny pulled off a superb save to keep out Valencia.
In the second half apart from the Juventus goal relatively early, the Italians did what they do best, defending & keeping control of the match while Valencia kept trying all they could under the circumstances. News had come through from the other Group match that Manchester United had scored against Young Boys & the English victory had shut the Champions League door on Valencia CF.
FINAL RESULT: JUVENTUS FC 1 - VALENCIA CF 0
Tomorrow Champions League action continues with the other two Spanish Football Club representative, Atletico de Madrid & FC Barcelona, down for their Group matches.
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