Butragueno warns Real Madrid that Roma will not be pushovers
Emilio Butragueno has stressed Roma have what it takes to cause Real Madrid problems in the Champions League round of 16.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/F63DCJs6RiFkKhpiBeCELd.jpg)
Real Madrid director Emilio Butragueno has warned that the Santiago Bernabeu side cannot afford to underestimate Roma in the Champions League round of 16.
Rudi Garcia's men only just scraped through to qualify for the knockout stages, collecting just six points from as many encounters to see off BATE and Bayer Leverkusen, while they were beaten 6-1 by Barcelona on matchday five.
Nevertheless, Butragueno is adamant Roma have what it takes to cause Madrid problems if Rafael Benitez's men are not fully focused.
"Roma are a tough side, they'll be really up for it and they compete well," Butragueno told UEFA's official website.
"If we see ourselves as favourites things won't go well for us.
"Roma are an Italian side and Italian teams give you nothing.
"It’s a very special competition."
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
The first leg will take place on February 17 at the Stadio Olimpico, with the return scheduled for March 8.
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool congratulates Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the 4-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3ie7X2vDDiU7X6C9HVRK7-840-80.jpg)
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
![CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 02: Wales captain Ryan Giggs shakes the hand of manager John Toshack after being substituted on his last International appearance for his country during the Euro 2008 Group D Qualifying Match between Wales and Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium on June 2, 2007 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by (Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ooQ9oNmgvfUUG8TBUhn6BK-840-80.jpg)
‘I trained at Spurs and thought they’d give me a chance. But I received a letter thanking me but saying they didn’t think I was good enough – I was gutted’: How Tottenham missed out on signing Wales legend John Toshack