Poor finishing cost the visitors, who were probably the better side over both legs
Real Madrid squeaked past Roma to reach the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday night thanks to late goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez.
But the Serie A giants will be left rueing a glorious opportunity missed to overturn a fragile Madrid outfit who they bettered for the majority of this two-legged tie.
Real Madrid came away from the Olimpico with a seemingly insurmountable 2-0 lead , but Zinedine Zidane had insisted the tie wasn’t over and a strong team selection echoed that.
It was just as well, with Roma the better side throughout this encounter but spurning a host of chances to turn the home crowd from uneasy to downright angry with a crucial goal.
Former Chelsea winger Mohamed Salah was a thorn in Madrid’s side throughout both legs, but his lack of end product arguably cost his team progression.
The Egyptian missed two one-on-ones and set up Edin Dzeko for another, which the Bosnian screwed wide from close range, as Roma consistently tore through the hosts’ backline at the Bernabeu.
But just as Madrid had taken full advantage of Roma’s profligacy at the Olimpico, they killed the tie stone-dead in the 65th minute as Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 40th goal of the season, before James doubled the lead.
But what did we learn? Ed Malyon was at the Bernabeu
1. Zidane doesn't take any chances
It's very easy to hear a manager insisting a tie isn't over from the first leg and not believe him, after all a 2-0 advantage away from home is pretty significant.
But Zinedine Zidane's inevitable comments on Monday that he felt Roma were still in this round-of-16 tie were echoed by the strong lineup he put out.
The front three was as good as it could be with Karim Benzema out - placing Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez either side of Cristiano Ronaldo - while Toni Kroos was paired with Modric in midfield.
Casemiro's inclusion as their defensive anchor was the one obviously conservative move, but only Dani Carvajal of the substitutes could consider himself a surefire starter benched.
2. Marcelo targeted again, with some success
Mohamed Salah was the most dangerous player for Roma in the first leg, with his ability to break through defensive lines at will.
Unfortunately, for much of the encounter at the Olimpico his poor end product also prevented the Italians from making the most of some promising positions.
After quarter of an hour, Salah once again popped past Marcelo and accelerated into the space behind the Brazilian full-back.
It's not an uncommon tactic, as many teams have tried to capitalise on his attacking tendencies.
But, as other sides have found, when you do get opportunities it is imperative to take them.
While Salah was at fault last time, Edin Dzeko was today's offender. The Bosnian hammered wide a Salah pass when virtually unopposed.
Salah found himself through shortly after but hit his own chance into the side netting.
Either was the sort of moment that could have changed the complexion of this tie, but in this competition you get punished for your mistakes by the elite - and that's why Roma are heading out.
3. Gareth Bale showing more rounded game on his return
It was Gareth Bale's first start for almost two months through injury and he lined up on the left.
But the Welshman had an obviously more defensive brief than usual, tracking back with Mo Salah to help out Marcelo (see number 2) after his first-leg showing.
It was Bale who got back to make a crucial intervention when the Brazilian and Sergio Ramos (of course!) had gone steaming into challenges with Salah and come out without the ball.
He also provided verticality to their attacking game, which at times lacked any real potency tonight, and set up their best first-half opportunity by breaking free before sending Cristiano Ronaldo through on goal.
While Gareth Bale no longer looks or plays like the left-back we saw at Southampton, it is reassuring to know that, when asked, he can perform an up-and-down role in the big games that many of his counterparts can't or simply won't.
4. Madrid eventually punish Roma - but worries remain
As in Rome, the glut of missed chances by the Giallorossi was eventually punished by Real Madrid's attacking flyers.
Cristiano Ronaldo cushioned home a wonderful cross from substitute Lucas Vazquez to make it 1-0, before nice interplay between James Rodriguez and Cristiano handed the Colombian the goal that killed the tie.
Yet for all the gloss of a 4-0 aggregate scoreline there will be serious concern over how they are playing.
Jeered by their own fans for the last two home games in La Liga, this performance was another disappointing one that provides more questions than it does answers.
What has happened to Toni Kroos? Have injuries ruined Sergio Ramos? Is Casemiro the essential midfield shield or does he disrupt the balance? Where does James fit in? Is Zidane even any good?
There are more, and you fear that nobody will face up to them until Madrid are on the end of a Champions League mauling.
With Europe their only chance of glory remaining in a disappointing season, when that moment of defeat comes it is going to have quite some impact.
Play like they did tonight and they won't have to wait too long...
5. Spalletti gives Totti his European swansong
When Luciano Spalletti was first in charge at Roma, a brilliant Francesco Totti helped the shiny-domed coach create the innovative 'strikerless' 4-6-0 formation that was later evolved by the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola.
His second spell has not seen anything like the same synergy though, with the intervening decade taking its toll on Totti's legs and game, and the aging playmaker not fitting in with Spalletti's plans.
The 39-year-old club icon has publicly stated his unhappiness at a lack of gametime and his desire to play for another year. Despite Spalletti only recently getting his feet back under the desk, the Roma boss doesn't seem overly keen on granting Totti's wish and no contract offer has been forthcoming.
What this leaves is the prospect of a saddening divorce; where either Totti is forced to retire while he still has something left to offer, or the forward goes elsewhere for a season, makes himself some money but doesn't get his dream of retiring with the Giallorossi.
At least tonight, albeit mainly through a lack of other attacking subs, Totti got to take to the field in the Champions League for what will most probably be the final time.
57 appearances and out for one of the most talented and loyal forwards of a generation - who got the standing ovation he so richly deserved.
The teams
Real Madrid: Navas; Danilo, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Bale, Cristiano, James.
Roma: Szczęsny; Florenzi, Manolas, Zukanović, Digne; Pjanić, Keita; Salah, Perotti, El Shaarawy, Džeko.
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