ProSportDiary.com

Nine-time kings of Europe Real Madrid crashed out of the Champions league at the first knock out stage for the fourth successive year after they went down 2-1 to AS Roma here on Wednesday.

Real had only themselves to blame as they were reduced to 10 men after 70 minutes when their Portuguese defender Pepe was sent off.

Roma took almost immediate advantage of the situation with Rodrigo Taddei scoring and although Real captain Raul controversially equalised for the hosts, Roma ran out deserved winners on the night and 4-2 on aggregate after Mirko Vucinic scored in injury time.

Inevitably, speculation will start about the future of Real coach Bernd Schuster despite his men having a five point lead at the top of La Liga.