MADRID: Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane insisted he was happy as his side progressed into the Champions League quarterfinals despite being given a scare by Roma before sealing a 4-0 aggregate win.
Madrid booked their place in the last eight thanks to two goals in four second-half minutes from Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez to seal a 2-0 win on the night at the Santiago Bernabeu
Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez scored second-half goals. Ronaldo scored his 13th goal in the competition this season by turning home a cross by substitute forward Lucas Vazquez in the 64th and Rodriguez added to the lead four minutes later with a low shot from inside the area.
However, Roma were left to rue a host of clear-cut chances to get back into the tie as Mohamed Salah missed two one-on-ones with Keylor Navas, whilst Edin Dzeko also sliced wide a glorious chance early on.
“We tried to attack without thinking about the result in the first-leg,” said Zidane, despite the fact his side held a 2-0 lead from the first meeting between the sides in Rome three weeks ago.
“We conceded chances that scared us a little, but when you cede space you assume risks.
“However, the most important thing for us was to use the ball in the best way possible.
“I am happy with the way we attacked and I think defensively we improved a lot in the second half.
“Now we have to think about our next league game and wait and see who we face next (in the Champions League).
“Everyone dreams of winning the Champions League and we are in the hunt.”
Gareth Bale made his first start in six weeks and shone early on as he was given a rare chance to play from the left with Ronaldo through the middle in the absence of the injured Karim Benzema.
However, Zidane refused to rule out switching the Welshman back to the right once Madrid’s favored front three are reunited.
“I am happy with Gareth’s work in that position, but it can change because he is comfortable on the right too,” added the Frenchman.
“The idea is that the front three constantly change position because that makes it more difficult for the defense.”
Roma boss Luciano Spalletti was left to rue a huge missed opportunity as the Italians were far from outplayed over the two-legs despite the four-goal margin of defeat.
“We have to point out that we had more chances than them and if we’d have taken them then the psychology of the game changes,” he said.
“We didn’t play badly in either game, but we did not take advantage of the chances that we created.”
Spalletti was particularly critical of his side’s mental strength and claimed it was Madrid’s big game experience, which saw them over the line in both games.
“Right now on a mental level perhaps we are a bit fragile. It’s a big game, big games make us nervous and we have to change this.
“Real Madrid have a lot of quality. You see that they’re more determined, they know how to take their chances.
“We could congratulate ourselves for how we played but we have to improve, and quickly.”
Wolfsburg into quarters
Andre Schuerrle fired Wolfsburg into the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time to seal Tuesday’s 1-0 victory and a 4-2 aggregate win over Gent.
Having lost the first-leg 3-2 at home, Gent arrived in Germany needing to score at least twice but Schuerrle ended their hopes with a goal 16 minutes from time.
It was his Germany teammate Julian Draxler, who scored twice in the first-leg, who danced around Gent defender Nana Asare to provide the cross, which Schuerrle drilled home.
It capped a fine seven days for the Germany winger after Schuerrle hit his first Bundesliga hat trick the previous Tuesday in a 4-0 romp over Hanover.
Hitting the winner against Gent will further raise his stock at Wolfsburg, who are now seventh — four points from a Champions League place next season — in Germany’s top flight.
Gent coach Hein Vanhaezebrouck said he wanted his team to unsettle the hosts, but his side was restricted to just six shots on goal.
Nigerian forward Moses Simon’s low cross lacked a boot to turn it as Gent’s best first-half chance went begging, but their challenge gradually petered out.
Wolfsburg effectively closed the game down in the first-half by restricting Gent to only a series of half chances.
Schuerrle deserved his goal and had a great chance approaching the hour mark but his shot was blocked by Gent midfielder Renato Neto.
Madrid booked their place in the last eight thanks to two goals in four second-half minutes from Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez to seal a 2-0 win on the night at the Santiago Bernabeu
Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez scored second-half goals. Ronaldo scored his 13th goal in the competition this season by turning home a cross by substitute forward Lucas Vazquez in the 64th and Rodriguez added to the lead four minutes later with a low shot from inside the area.
However, Roma were left to rue a host of clear-cut chances to get back into the tie as Mohamed Salah missed two one-on-ones with Keylor Navas, whilst Edin Dzeko also sliced wide a glorious chance early on.
“We tried to attack without thinking about the result in the first-leg,” said Zidane, despite the fact his side held a 2-0 lead from the first meeting between the sides in Rome three weeks ago.
“We conceded chances that scared us a little, but when you cede space you assume risks.
“However, the most important thing for us was to use the ball in the best way possible.
“I am happy with the way we attacked and I think defensively we improved a lot in the second half.
“Now we have to think about our next league game and wait and see who we face next (in the Champions League).
“Everyone dreams of winning the Champions League and we are in the hunt.”
Gareth Bale made his first start in six weeks and shone early on as he was given a rare chance to play from the left with Ronaldo through the middle in the absence of the injured Karim Benzema.
However, Zidane refused to rule out switching the Welshman back to the right once Madrid’s favored front three are reunited.
“I am happy with Gareth’s work in that position, but it can change because he is comfortable on the right too,” added the Frenchman.
“The idea is that the front three constantly change position because that makes it more difficult for the defense.”
Roma boss Luciano Spalletti was left to rue a huge missed opportunity as the Italians were far from outplayed over the two-legs despite the four-goal margin of defeat.
“We have to point out that we had more chances than them and if we’d have taken them then the psychology of the game changes,” he said.
“We didn’t play badly in either game, but we did not take advantage of the chances that we created.”
Spalletti was particularly critical of his side’s mental strength and claimed it was Madrid’s big game experience, which saw them over the line in both games.
“Right now on a mental level perhaps we are a bit fragile. It’s a big game, big games make us nervous and we have to change this.
“Real Madrid have a lot of quality. You see that they’re more determined, they know how to take their chances.
“We could congratulate ourselves for how we played but we have to improve, and quickly.”
Wolfsburg into quarters
Andre Schuerrle fired Wolfsburg into the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time to seal Tuesday’s 1-0 victory and a 4-2 aggregate win over Gent.
Having lost the first-leg 3-2 at home, Gent arrived in Germany needing to score at least twice but Schuerrle ended their hopes with a goal 16 minutes from time.
It was his Germany teammate Julian Draxler, who scored twice in the first-leg, who danced around Gent defender Nana Asare to provide the cross, which Schuerrle drilled home.
It capped a fine seven days for the Germany winger after Schuerrle hit his first Bundesliga hat trick the previous Tuesday in a 4-0 romp over Hanover.
Hitting the winner against Gent will further raise his stock at Wolfsburg, who are now seventh — four points from a Champions League place next season — in Germany’s top flight.
Gent coach Hein Vanhaezebrouck said he wanted his team to unsettle the hosts, but his side was restricted to just six shots on goal.
Nigerian forward Moses Simon’s low cross lacked a boot to turn it as Gent’s best first-half chance went begging, but their challenge gradually petered out.
Wolfsburg effectively closed the game down in the first-half by restricting Gent to only a series of half chances.
Schuerrle deserved his goal and had a great chance approaching the hour mark but his shot was blocked by Gent midfielder Renato Neto.
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