Real's Roma stroll earns respite for Solari

ROME－A series of colossal errors by Roma handed Real Madrid a 2-0 victory on Tuesday and first place in Group G of the Champions League.

Roma winger Cengiz Under fired over from point-blank range in first-half added time before two defensive blunders led to a Gareth Bale goal immediately after the break.

Lucas Vazquez then added another for Madrid against a demoralized Roma.

Both three-time defending champion Madrid and last season's semifinalist Roma had secured spots in the last 16 before kickoff after Viktoria Plzen won 2-1 at CSKA Moscow in Tuesday's earlier Group G game to end the Russian side's chances of progressing.

Madrid, which is assured of winning the group, leads with 12 points, Roma has nine, and Plzen and CSKA four each.

The victory offered some respite for new Madrid manager Santiago Solari, who was facing pressure following a 3-0 La Liga loss at Eibar in his first match since being given the job permanently.

Solari was asked if Madrid, a record 13-time European champion, remained the favorite to win the competition.

"That's always the case, due to our history over the last 115 years," Solari said. "Real Madrid is the favorite until another squad wins more."

Roma coach Eusebio Di Francesco, meanwhile, remains at risk from the ax, with the Madrid loss following a defeat at relegation-threatened Udinese last weekend and with a home match against Inter Milan to come on Sunday.

"We were missing many important players and we put out a very young team tonight but we went out with a positive attitude," Di Francesco said.

"But every time we concede a goal we completely fall apart. That's the thing that makes me angriest, because it's something we had discussed."

Roma dominated the first half but wasted a series of excellent chances, none greater than Under's opportunity which practically came on a silver platter from Nicolo Zaniolo's cross.

The error left the 21-year-old Under holding his head in frustration and the Turkey international had to be consoled by Alessandro Florenzi, who captained Roma in the absence of the injured Daniele De Rossi.

"In the first half, we were superior to Real Madrid－a side that won the Champions League three straight years. But if you are superior and don't take advantage of your chances, you're going to lose," Roma defender Kostas Manolas said.

Roma also had a strong penalty call waved away when Dani Carvajal appeared to handle at the edge of the area.

The host sorely missed injured striker Edin Dzeko, who along with Lionel Messi is the joint top scorer in this season's Champions League with five goals.

With Roma fans still fuming over Under's miss, the frustration turned to rage when Madrid scored with its first chance of the second half.

A poor clearance by goalkeeper Robin Olsen was clumsily headed back toward goal by Roma defender Federico Fazio, allowing Bale to score easily.

Then, near the hour mark, Vazquez tapped in after a headed pass from Bale.

Before the match, retired captain Francesco Totti was inducted into Roma's hall of fame during a ceremony that Madrid legends Raul and Roberto Carlos also took part in.

Associated Press