Real Madrid defender Fabio Cannavaro believes the UEFA Champions League defeat to Roma was ‘unjust’.

The Italian side came from behind to claim a 2-1 success over Real at the Stadio Olimpico, handing them a slender advantage for the second leg in Spain on 5th March.

Bernd Schuster’s side dominated long periods of the encounter but paid the price for missing a number of opportunities, with Roma clinical in front of goal.

Cannavaro believes his team-mates were unfortunate not secure victory; however he is confident that they have the ability to turn the deficit around.

“The defeat in Rome was unjust. We dominated the ball, the game and the chances on goal but did not win,” he said.

“It was bad luck. It is incredible that the score finished 2-1.

“However, I am confident of securing victory at home because it is impossible for this type of rarity to repeat itself.”
Schuster was also unhappy with the result, but applauded his players for their display.

“I’m not happy with the result because we played well for 90 minutes, but these things can happen in the Champions League,” he said.

“It is very important to have scored and we can qualify in front of our fans at a full stadium.

“Obviously we have to change something in away games because we have not earned good results recently.

“Maybe we were not clinical in front of their goal while Roma needed only a couple of chances to get the victory.

“Roma played as I expected - they have a different philosophy compared to us but we respect them.

“However, I’m not disappointed with our performance at all - I liked the way we played.”