Zidane content with improving Madrid – News

Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Jese Rodriguez secured a first-leg advantage for Los Blancos, who will welcome the Italian side for the return next month.

The result, sealed by Jese’s late individual effort, lifts the gloom that descended on Madrid in the build-up to the game.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game against an opponent who defend well and put you under pressure up to, but the side were really good”, said Jese.

It was Zinedine Zidane’s first Champions League encounter as a manager and it was a dream start for the Frenchman, as his side planted one foot in the quarters.

Roma substitute Edin Dzeko set up Vainqueur for a long-distance attempt at an equalizer that went wide and Ronaldo then almost scored again.

“We talked and I am happy with his goal because everyone always expects him to score and that’s exactly what he did”.

The win was a major fillip for Real, with the Champions League increasingly seen as the club’s best shot at winning a major title this season.

Alessandro Florenzi was controversially denied a penalty but Roma were not able to make the most out of their counter-attacks. “We played a great second half”.

Elsewhere tonight, Gent lost out 3-2 to visitors Wolfsburg after coming from 3-0 down.

“We played a lot better than we have done in other away matches”, he said. Navas is now 223 minutes, or about two and a half games, from eclipsing the longest stretch of any kind without allowing a goal in Champions League.

“It’s been a very special day, we played well but it was a hard match because they (Roma) played well”.

“We’re on the right path, we have to carry on working together”.

Miralem Pjanic heads things up in midfield and will be one of the players to keep an eye on for the home side, as on his day, the Bosnian has the ability to rip any defense apart.

Draxler made it 2-0 just nine minutes into the second half with a superb chip and on the hour-mark Kruse scored from close range to give the Germans a healthy cushion.

It will now head to Germany in three weeks time with a chance of making yet more history by reaching the quarterfinal stage.