Soccer-Satisfied Schuster confident of Real comeback

By Paul Virgo

ROME, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Coach Bernd Schuster said he was satisfied despite Real Madrid's 2-1 defeat at AS Roma in Tuesday's Champions League last 16 tie and is confident his side can reverse things in the second leg.

"The only thing I'm not happy with is the result. We deserved more," Schuster told a news conference after David Pizarro and Mancini netted for Schalke to cancel out Raul's early opener for the Spanish.

"Scoring an (away) goal gives us faith for the return at our stadium, in front of our crowd. The only thing that needs to change is the result. Real Madrid did not disappoint me in any way."

The German coach said the nine-times European champions had been undone by Roma's ability to make the most of a limited number of chances, as was the case in recent league defeats to Real Betis and Almeria.

"The plot has changed from before when we won against opposition who were having lots of chances and (keeper) Iker Casillas was our best player," he said. "Now our opponents are taking advantage of two or three opportunities."

Schuster was critical when asked about the performance of German referee Herbert Fandel.

"When you call him my compatriot that is the worst thing you can say. He gave too many yellow cards in favour of the home side. But I don't think this influenced the result."

Among the players booked for the Spanish champions was defender Sergio Ramos, who will now miss the return leg in Madrid on March 5.