Mancini strike gives Roma vital edge

BATTLING Roma gave themselves a slender advantage after the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Real Madrid at the Stadio Olimpico.

Mancini was the hero for the hosts, firing home the winning goal in the 58th minute after David Pizarro’s first-half strike had cancelled out Raul’s opener.

The result marked Roma’s first win against Real in the Italian capital at the fourth attempt and hands Luciano Spalletti’s side with a crucial advantage ahead of the return leg.

Real were unlucky not to equalise when substitute Royston Drenthe was denied by the crossbar with 10 minute remaining.

The hosts started in confident fashion but they were soon stunned as Madrid broke the deadlock in the eighth minute.

Roma goalkeeper Alexander Doni could do nothing as Guti’s left-footed strike took a deflection from Raul and went into the back of the net.

Shortly after, Ruud van Nistelrooy had a goal disallowed for offside.

In the 12th minute, an unmarked Simone Perrotta wasted a good opportunity to restore parity as he failed to get a clean shot from close range.

Roma continued to surge forward and three minutes later they finally broke through.

Mancini’s cross from the left was cleared by Heinze but only as far as Pizarro whose powerful right-footed strike beat Casillas.

Roma’s joy could have been shortlived as Madrid almost went in front on 28 minutes. Raul set up van Nistelrooy inside the area but his first touch sent the ball wide.

Madrid picked up where they left off after the re-start and Doni did well to anticipate van Nistelrooy’s effort inside the box.

But it was Roma who took the lead shortly after.

Totti did well to control a long ball from his own half before delivering a fantastic pass to Mancini, who got past the goalkeeper before tucking the ball in from an acute angle.

On the hour mark, Sergio Ramos fired from outside the area while shortly after, Fernando Gago fired just wide over the crossbar.

With 13 minutes remaining, Roma missed a golden chance to extend their advantage.

A fast counter-attack by the Giallorossi saw them four against two but Totti opted to play in the marked Mancini who was forced to slow the play down and the chance was gone.

Real never lost hope and were almost rewarded late on when Raul chested down the ball to an unmarked Julio Batista, who fired high over the bar.