Real Madrid 0 - Roma 1

Real Madrid: Casillas; Salgado, Iván Helguera, Hierro, Roberto Carlos; Makelele, Cambiasso (Guti 86'); Figo, Raúl, Zidane (Solari 78'); Ronaldo (Morientes 78'). 4-2-3-1.
Roma: Antonioli; Panucci, Samuel, Aldair (Zebina 91'); Cafú, Tomassi, Totti, Emerson, Candela; Delvecchio (Lima 88'), Montella (Batistuta 72'). 3-5-2.

Goals:
0-1. 27. Totti. Shot wide of Casillas after Montella effort blocked.

Group C:
Real Madrid.......... 8 points
Roma...................... 8 points
AEK Athens........... 5 points
Genk........................ 2 points

Real Madrid qualified for the second phase despite losing 0-1 at home to Roma. The European champions put in a disappointing performance, but with AEK Athens drawing with Genk in the other group match, Madrid are at least assured of second place. After drawing themselves in the last two European games against AEK, Del Bosque could not afford to lose this one, and he lined up with his all-star team for the first time after Figo and Cambiasso passed late fitness tests.

The season is already starting to take it's toll though on the top players, and neither Figo, Ronaldo nor Raúl were on their best form. Raúl had a good chance to open the scoring when Salgado's cross found him alone in front of goal, but he uncharacteristically put his header wide. Then a few minutes later Figo gave the ball away, and Montella broke free to shoot just past the post. Raúl did get the ball in the net only to see it ruled offside, and soon afterwards Totti also went close at the other end.

It was no surprise then two minutes later when the Roma captain opened the scoring, beating Casillas with a half-hit shot after Hierro blocked a first effort from Montella. Roma wanted to open up a bigger gap though, and Casillas had to dive at the feet of Montella to prevent them from scoring again. Madrid did bounce back though, and Antonioli stopped a couple of efforts from Ronaldo either side of half time.

The action continued, and this time it was the turn of Casillas to make two first class saves from Totti. Raúl saw his header parried by the Italian keeper at the other end, and in the last few minutes Madrid pushed for the goal which would save them a point. By then though Zidane had limped off the field, and the Romans put up their defensive shield as in the best days of Julius Caesar. They had cancelled out Madrid's victory in Rome on the opening day, albeit by a lesser score, and the two sides ended the day level on eight points.

Mathematically though the Spaniards are through, and Roma could join them in a fortnight's time if they can at least draw at home to the Greeks. The European Champions did not look good though, and there was some talk of "crisis" having not won now for four games in a row.