Real Madrid were in rueful mood after
missing out on securing a place in the last 16 of the Champions League
after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Bayer Leverkusen at the Bernabeu.
"We missed a golden opportunity to be able to relax a little," Real
keeper Iker Casillas told reporters after Tuesday's game.
"We've complicated things with this result and now we have to go to Rome
with the pressure of knowing we have to win."
Real were on the ropes for much of the game at the Bernabeu and looked
to be in deep trouble when Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov put the
visitors ahead nine minutes before the break.
For the third time this season, though, they staged a second-half
comeback, captain Raul steering in from close range after a marvellous
run from Luis Figo in the 70th minute.
Raul's strike put him level with Alfredo Di Stefano's European Cup
record of 49 goals.
The nine-times European champions then spurned a chance to secure their
berth in the second round when Figo had a penalty saved by Leverkusen
keeper Hans-Joerg Butt nine minutes from time.
'RUSHING THINGS'
"We really had to suffer to earn this draw," said Raul. "We had a lot of
problems in the first half and, when they scored, we got very anxious
and started rushing things.
"But we played much better after the break and should have won the game
in the end. It was just a shame that we didn't get the second goal
because I think we deserved it."
With Dynamo Kiev topping Group B on 10 points after their 2-0 win at
home to Roma and Real and Leverkusen level on eight, the Primera Liga
side know they must win at the Olympic stadium to keep alive their
dreams of winning a 10th European Cup.
The game against already eliminated Roma will be played behind closed
doors, part of the punishment for an incident in the Serie A side's
opener against Kiev when referee Anders Frisk was hit on the head by an
object thrown from the crowd.
"It's going to be difficult for us because there will be no atmosphere
there," said Casillas.
"But we will be playing for a place in the next round and we can't
afford any slip-ups because, if we don't win, we will have to depend on
other results going our way." |
