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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Spalletti revels in Roma achievement

/noticias.info/ AS Roma repeated their home 2-1 win against Real Madrid CF to reach the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals in the Spanish capital and visiting coach Luciano Spalletti congratulated his team on "a great effort". Madrid had Pepe sent off on 71 minutes with the score still at 0-0 and Bernd Schuster identified that moment and Míchel Salgado's injury not long before as pivotal.

Bernd Schuster, Madrid coach
Real Madrid fought well against a very well-organised team. We knew it was difficult but we tried to find a way to score. We had no luck tonight. My players did everything they could and I must congratulate them. We had smart opponents in front of us. Some people thought that AS Roma were not serious opponents for Real Madrid but they have shown that was a big mistake. We dominated until going 1-0 down and we could have scored a second goal but it was difficult. Pepe's red card and the injury to Salgado were keys to this match.

Luciano Spalletti, Roma coach
Real Madrid tried to be the more aggressive but my players didn't allow it. My team played very well and won the match with a great effort. I congratulate them. We came here to win and we did. My team responded perfectly to my instructions. We suffered today but we deserved to go through. Both teams played well and that makes this important victory even more valuable. I am satisfied with all my players. The substitutes [Claudio Pizarro, winning goalscorer Mirko Vučinić and Christian Panucci] were very important tonight because they helped to keep the match in our hands. The team is growing and we have learned a lot in recent games. I always think of our supporters and our president when we win. Good luck to Real Madrid in the Spanish league. notas_de_prensa_archivo