On March 5, 2008, Roma surprised Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu, eliminating the Spanish club in the round of 16 of the Champions League with an aggregate result of 4‑2. The victory, which was added to the 2‑1 victory in the Italian stadium, became one of the most memorable nights for the Romanista fans and continues to be a reference for their European aspirations.
The first leg, held on February 19, saw Real Madrid lead with a goal from Raúl González in the 8th minute. Italian striker David Pizarro equalized the score in the 24th minute, and after the break Brazilian Mancini (Alessandro Faiolhe Amantino) sealed the victory with a goal in the 58th minute, leaving Roma with a 1‑0 lead at the Bernabéu. Despite the pressure from the merengue team, which had figures such as Iker Casillas, Pepe, Fabio Cannavaro and an attack with Robinho, Raúl and Ruud van Nistelrooy, the Italian team, led by Luciano Spalletti, managed to maintain the advantage and advance to the quarterfinals.
In the second leg, Roma won again with a 2‑1, closing the tie with a total of 4‑2. The decisive goal came in the 58th minute, equaling the lead from the first leg and ensuring Real Madrid's elimination. The victory allowed the Italian club to advance to the next phase, where they faced Manchester United, who were finally crowned champions of the edition after a penalty shootout against Chelsea in Moscow. Roma, with a tactical scheme based on center forward Francesco Totti and the presence of players like Doni, Philippe Mexès and Juan in defense, demonstrated the effectiveness of Spalletti's strategy on the continental stage.
Real Madrid, after the defeat, recovered in the national competition, finishing the 2007-2008 season as LaLiga champions with 85 points, 11 more than Villarreal and 13 more than Barcelona. The club also won the Italian Cup after beating Inter Milan and finished runners-up in Serie A. However, the European scenario changed: Real Madrid has maintained its dominance in visits to the Bernabéu, consolidating its authority in the Italian capital and seeking to add its second victory in the group stage after beating Inter, the current Serie A champion.
For Roma, the 2008 victory fuels the expectations of its fans, who hope to repeat the success at the Olympic. The team, which tied on the first day against Fenerbahçe, is seeking its first victory in the Champions League in the Italian stadium since 2019. Although the historical figures favor Real Madrid, the precedent of 2008 continues to inspire the fans of the Giallorosso club and the technical management, who plan to continue with Spalletti's tactics in the next European matches.