Roma came from one goal down to beat Real Madrid 2-1 on Tuesday in the Champions League and move closer to the quarter-finals. The Spanish League leaders remained without an away victory in the tournament this season but still have a chance to qualify when they host Roma in the second leg after two weeks. Real Madrid grabbed the lead as early as the eighth minute when Raul flicked Guti's low shot past Alexander Doni. David Pizzaro leveled in the 24th minute when he pounced on a loose ball after a poor clearance from the Real defense. He unleashed a low drive from the edge of the area, with the ball taking deflection from Gabriel Heinze to float over Iker Casillas and settle home off the crossbar.
Roma dominated the midfield after the restart and went ahead 13 minutes into the second period. Captain Francesco Totti set up Alessandro Mancini with a silky pass and the Brazilian winger rounded Casillas before sweeping the ball into the empty net. Shortly after, Sergio Ramos was handed a yellow card, his third in the competition and will be suspended in the second leg. Roma manager Luciano Spalletti opted for a defensive approach after the second goal but his side remained dangerous on the break. Ruud van Nistelrooy almost equalized in the 79th minute, when he rattled the post after connecting with a low cross from substitute Royston Drenthe.
