Real rue missed opportunity

Real Madrid were in rueful mood after missing out on securing a place in the last 16 of the Champions League after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Bayer Leverkusen at the Bernabeu.

"We missed a golden opportunity to be able to relax a little," Real keeper Iker Casillas told reporters after Tuesday's game.

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Real were on the ropes for much of the game at the Bernabeu and looked to be in deep trouble when Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov put the visitors ahead nine minutes before the break.

For the third time this season, though, they staged a second-half comeback, captain Raul steering in from close range after a marvellous run from Luis Figo in the 70th minute.

Raul's strike put him level with Alfredo Di Stefano's European Cup record of 49 goals.

The nine-times European champions then spurned a chance to secure their berth in the second round when Figo had a penalty saved by Leverkusen keeper Hans-Joerg Butt nine minutes from time.

'RUSHING THINGS'

"We really had to suffer to earn this draw," said Raul. "We had a lot of problems in the first half and, when they scored, we got very anxious and started rushing things.

"But we played much better after the break and should have won the game in the end. It was just a shame that we didn't get the second goal because I think we deserved it."

With Dynamo Kiev topping Group B on 10 points after their 2-0 win at home to Roma and Real and Leverkusen level on eight, the Spanish Primera Liga side know they must win at the Olympic stadium to keep alive their dreams of winning a 10th European Cup.

The game against already eliminated Roma will be played behind closed doors, part of the punishment for an incident in the Serie A side's opener against Kiev when referee Anders Frisk was hit on the head by an object thrown from the crowd.

"It's going to be difficult for us because there will be no atmosphere there," said Casillas.

"But we will be playing for a place in the next round and we can't afford any slip-ups because, if we don't win, we will have to depend on other results going our way."