Roma ace Dzeko at the double
EDIN DZEKO scored twice as 10-man Roma warmed up for Wednesday’s Champions League showdown with Liverpool by hammering Chievo 4-1.
The former Manchester City striker struck in the 39th and 66th minutes to add to his goal in Tuesday’s 5-2 semi-final first-leg defeat.
Dzeko fed off Aleksandar Kolarov, another ex-City man, for his first and was set up by Belgium midfielder Radja Nainggolan for his second.
Roma also hit the target through Patrik Schick and Stephan El Shaarawy.
But they had Brazilian defender Juan Jesus sent off for a professional foul in the
56th minute. Meanwhile, Real Madrid rested Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos for their La Liga game at home to Leganes.
The holders, chasing an unprecedented third win on the trot, also left out France defender Raphael Varane as manager Zinedine Zidane looked to keep his side fresh for Tuesday’s return leg against Bayern Munich at the Bernabau.
Gareth Bale scored a stunning overhead kick to remind Zidane of his worth in the comfortable 2-1 win.
Defender Borja Mayoral grabbed the second.
Real lead semi-final opponents Bayern Munich
2-1.
The German champions also played it safe and made eight changes in the 4-1 demolition of Frankfurt.
Niklas Dorsch, Sandro Wagner, Rafinha and Niklas Sule all scored.