Sanchis: Qualification is not a done deal

Sanchis, who spent his entire career at Real, captaining the side for 13 years and helping the club to its seventh and eighth Champions League successes, spoke to Roma TV in the build-up to Tuesday’s Round of 16 second leg at the Bernabeu.

“A 2-0 away win in the first leg is a great starting point,” began Sanchis. “But if Roma get the first goal at the Bernabeu then it’ll be a bit more complicated because the doubt will creep in and Roma may be able to make the most of their strengths. I don’t think qualification is a done deal. I wish it was, but it’s not yet.”

Sanchis also believes that Zinedine Zidane’s side must avoid making any errors against Roma, given the way Luciano Spalletti’s outfit have grown in confidence in recent weeks.

“Real Madrid can’t afford to make any mistakes at the Bernabeu because they’re playing a side that will punish any errors. Lately I think Roma have been growing as a team. They’re developing greater defensive solidity and building on that to secure some good results – they look like a strong side now.”

The former Real Madrid captain reserved particular praise for Mohamed Salah.

“He’s going to be a top player for years to come. He’s got talent and bags of personality – I love watching him play on the television. Like all players, I think he needs the team to function well around him so that he can step his level up. But that happens to Cristiano Ronaldo too.”

Last but not least, Sanchis also had a special mention for Francesco Totti.

“One Roma player I’ve always admired is their icon – their leader [Totti]. Right now he’s not playing so much but he’s 39 years old. I retired at 36 and even at that age it was tough. If I think about what it would have been like to play for another three years, the only thing I can do is give him a lot of credit. I tip my hat to him.”