MADRID (AFP) - Nine-time kings of Europe Real Madrid crashed out of the Champions league at the first knock out stage for the fourth successive year after they went down 2-1 to AS Roma here on Wednesday.
Real had only themselves to blame as they were reduced to 10 men after 70 minutes when their Portuguese defender Pepe was sent off.
Roma took almost immediate advantage of the situation with Rodrigo Taddei scoring and although Real captain Raul controversially equalised for the hosts, Roma ran out deserved winners on the night and 4-2 on aggregate after Mirko Vucinic scored in injury time.
"I got the impression that it was almost the same as the first leg, when we dominated the game, made all the effort and worked hard, only to make a few small errors," said a sombre-looking Real coach Bernd Schuster.
"The key moment was the sending off, we missed that extra man, but I'm still happy with the team for the character they showed. They went looking for the goal that would have made it 2-1 but it wasn't to be.
"At least we didn't go out because my players didn't want to fight," added the German.
Inevitably, speculation will start about the future of Schuster despite Real having a five point lead at the top of La Liga.
As current England coach Fabio Capello can testify, just winning a domestic title may not necessarily enough to satisfy Real's ambitious president Ramon Calderon.
"All we can do now is concentrate on the league and look ahead to next year," added Schuster on Wednesday but whether he will be allowed the luxury of a second year at the helm remains to be seen.
Both sides initially lived up to their promises of playing open, attacking, football although the energy levels started to dip as the first half wore on.
"Real tried to start aggressively but we were not going to concede anything to them. Both teams had a great game overall so I don't think we stole anything from Real, we deserved to go through," commented Roma coach Luciano Spalletti.
Roma almost drew first blood when Alberto Aquilani hit the post after 18 minutes.
After the break, Real then re-doubled their efforts in a bid to find the vital goal which would get their noses in front.
Real right winger Julio Baptista close three minutes into the second half when his free kick from just outside the area evaded the outstretched arms of his Roma goalkeeper Doni only to hit the cross bar.
Raul saw his header just miss its target shortly before the hour but, with them pushing forward, Real were also leaving gaps at the back.
Vucinic came on in place of first leg goalscorer Mancini after 65 minutes and barely 60 seconds later the Serbian striker sent a Max Tonetto cross against the bar.
The critical point in the game came 20 minutes from the end when Pepe was given his marching orders for second yellow card after for a foul on Vucinic.
Roma took just three minutes to take advantage of having an extra man when Taddei escaped his markers to beat Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas with a header from close range.
Real equalised just two minutes later when Raul got his 61st Champions League goal, and his fifth in the competition this season, with a right foot shot following a Robinho cross from the left flank.
Raul looked clearly in an offside position but Greek referee Kyros Vassaras waved away the Roma protests.
In the last 10 minutes, Real threw everything at their Italian opponents in a bid to try to find a second goal and force extra time but again paid the penalty for having too little cover at the back.
Two minutes into injury time, Vucinic bravely dived for cross from former Real defender Christian Panucci and his headed goal clinched the tie.
"What won the game for us was the fact that we stayed calm in the midfield and our substitutes, like Vucinic and Panucci, were at full speed as soon as they got on the field," added Spalletti.
Roma go into the Champions League quarter-finals for the second successive year while Real's defeat leaves Spain with only Barcelona going into the draw on March 14.
