Barcelona have taken a big step towards the semi-finals of the Champions League courtesy of a 4-1 win over Roma in the first leg of their quarter-final at Camp Nou.
Own goals from Daniele Di Rossi and Kostas Manolas sent Barcelona on their way, before Gerard Pique scored a third for the home side just before the hour.
Roma managed to score an away goal in the 80th minute through Edin Dzeko, but Luis Suarez netted a fourth for Barcelona in the closing moments to leave the Italian side with a mountain to climb in the second leg next week.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's live minute-by-minute commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live Champions League coverage continues from Camp Nou as Barcelona welcome Roma for the first leg of their quarter-final. Barcelona are the strong favourites to progress into the semi-finals of the tournament, but Roma will enter this match off the back of a five-game unbeaten run in all competitions. Stay tuned for the European action from Barcelona!
Tonight will be just the fifth ever meeting between Barcelona and Roma in European competition. Both teams have won one of their previous four match-ups, with the other two games finishing level. Roma held Barcelona to a 1-1 draw at Camp Nou during the second group stage of the 2001-02 Champions League, but the Italian side lost 6-1 in this stadium when they last visited in November 2015.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news for this European tie. Both sides were in league action at the weekend – Barcelona drawing 2-2 with Sevilla while Roma shared the points at Bologna. Any changes? Let's run through the two XIs for this match...
TEAMS!
BARCELONA: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Pique, Umtiti, Alba; Roberto, Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Suarez, Messi
ROMA: Alisson; Peres, Manolas, Fazio, Kolarov; Pellegrini, De Rossi, Strootman; Florenzi, Dzeko, Perotti
It appears that Barcelona will line up in a 4-4-2 formation tonight, with Sergi Roberto given the nod over Ousmane Dembele. Sergio Busquets is fit to return from a foot problem, meanwhile, and starts in the middle of the park. Roberto's move further forward means that Nelson Semedo is in at right-back, while Lionel Messi is back in the XI after starting on the bench against Sevilla on Saturday night.
© Offside
As for Roma, Lorenzo Pellegrini comes in for the injured Radja Nainggolan, with the Italian joining Daniele De Rossi and Kevin Strootman in the middle of the park. Edin Dzeko will lead the line for the Italian giants, while Alessandro Florenzi and Diego Perotti will provide the midfield support. Patrik Schick and Stephan El Shaarawy are among the substitutes for the visitors tonight.
So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff in Barcelona. I shall speak about the away side and their 2017-18 campaign a little bit later, but let's start with the hosts. Ernesto Valverde's side are easing towards the La Liga title this season, and it could be a famous campaign for the Catalan giants as they battle for what would be an incredible treble.
⚽ #BarçaRoma
📍 Camp Nou pic.twitter.com/SlkJtuK1jh — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 4, 2018
Indeed, Saturday's 2-2 draw at Sevilla maintained Barcelona's unbeaten La Liga campaign, and they are currently nine points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid at the summit. The Catalan giants will also face Sevilla in this season's Copa del Rey final, but the Champions League is the one that Barcelona really want having watched Real Madrid triumph in the last two editions.
Barcelona eased through the group stages of the competition – finishing ahead of Juventus at the top of Group D to make the round of 16, where they were drawn against Chelsea. A 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge left the tie delicately poised ahead of the second leg at Camp Nou, but Barcelona were far too strong for the English champions as a 3-0 success saw them make the last eight.
Barcelona have won 14 of their previous 19 European Cup quarter-finals, but three of those defeats have come in their last four ties. Indeed, they lost to Juventus in last season's last eight, and were beaten by La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid at the same stage of the 2015-16 competition.
12 - Lionel Messi has scored 12 Champions League goals against Italian clubs (in 19 appearances) including two goals in two games versus Roma. Wolf. pic.twitter.com/t8mBRtWhry — OptaJose (@OptaJose) April 4, 2018
Barcelona, who last won the Champions League in 2015 courtesy of their 3-1 win over Juventus in Berlin, have won all four of their home games in this season's competition – scoring eight times and conceding just once. They are also unbeaten in their last 25 home Champions League matches, which is a run of form that stretches back to September 2013. It is a huge ask for Roma to triumph tonight.
As for Roma, Eusebio Di Francesco's team will enter this match off the back of a 1-1 draw at Bologna on Saturday, which was a result that left them in third spot in Serie A – 18 points off the leaders Juventus. This is their first appearance in the quarter-finals of the Champions League since the 2007-08 campaign, when they lost 3-0 on aggregate to Manchester United.
Roma have never won the Champions League, but they were strong in the group stages – finishing above Chelsea at the top of Group C. Atletico Madrid actually finished third in that particular group, and there is no question that Roma deserve credit for what they have achieved in this season's competition.
10 minuti al calcio d'inizio di #BarcaRoma: DAJE! #ASRoma pic.twitter.com/a7Kxz8Ih50 — AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) April 4, 2018
The round of 16 paired the Italian club with Shakhtar Donetsk, and they lost the first leg 2-1 in Ukraine before recording a 1-0 victory on home soil to triumph on away goals. Roma were always likely to draw an absolute giant at this stage of the competition, and Barcelona were the team pulled out of the hat.
Roma are the underdogs, but they have only lost one of their last eight away games in all competitions, and have won four of their last six. Sevilla took the game to Barcelona at the weekend, and there is no question that the Italian giants have the quality to cause Valverde's side a lot of problems over the two legs. Here we go then; both sets of players are in the tunnel ahead of kickoff in this quarter-final!
KICKOFF! Barcelona kick things off at Camp Nou...
... it would be a major shock if Barcelona did not get the job done over the two legs, but the Italian side will be keen to give a good account of themselves. The visitors have actually started quite well - Perotti delivering a dangerous cross into the Barcelona box, but Alba was across to make the clearance.
Roma have actually had a lot of the ball in the first four minutes of this match, with De Rossi and Pellegrini enjoying possession. The early signs are that we will have an open game of football here.
Semedo links well with Roberto down the right before looking to deliver into the Roma box, but Fazio does well to make the clearance. Semedo's pace in a wide area could be key for the home side tonight.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the first eight minutes, and Roma will certainly be pleased with their start to the match. Indeed, Dzeko has been threatening in the final third, while Florenzi and Perotti have been able to pick up the ball in wide positions. Still goalless at Camp Nou.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Suarez has the ball in the back of the Roma net, but the striker was in an offside position, much to the relief of the Roma defence, who were caught out a touch!
Penalty shout for Roma as Dzeko goes down inside the box under a challenge from Semedo, but the referee is not interested. It was clumsy from the Barcelona right-back - no doubt about that.
SAVE! Decent save from Alisson to keep out a long-range Messi effort. The Argentine had found a bit of space before striking towards goal, but Alisson made the stop.
Neither side is really in control of the ball at the moment, but both look dangerous in the final third of the field. You do get the feeling that Roma need to score tonight to stand a chance in the tie.
Roma's shape looks pretty good when it comes to upsetting the flow of Barcelona, with De Rossi and Pellegrini sitting alongside Strootman in the middle of the park. Florenzi is operating from the right, while Perotti is trying to support Dzeko from a wide left position. Still goalless with 16 minutes played.
Half-chance for Barcelona as Suarez finds some space outside the Roma box before striking towards goal, but Strootman is on hand to make the block. The resulting corner is then cleared by Manolas.
POST! Rakitic hits the post for Barcelona after Roma fail to clear a corner. It was more of a cross from the Croatian, but it went through everyone before hitting the outside of the post.
It has been a very entertaining first 21 minutes tonight, with both teams having their moments in the final third. Barcelona have come the closest to scoring, but Roma are certainly a threat here.
Messi dances past a host of challenges before Rakitic takes on the shot from an advanced area, but the Croatian's effort was always rising over the crossbar. Messi's footwork was just sensational.
Messi appears to be warming to his task tonight as he continues to pick up the ball in advanced areas. We have not seen an awful lot from Roma as an attacking threat over the last five minutes or so.
Liverpool are 2-0 ahead at home to Manchester City in tonight's other semi-final, with Salah and Oxlade-Chamberlain on the scoresheet for the Reds. Hopefully that match is taking all the goals tonight. Roma have been better in the last couple of minutes as they ease the pressure with some possession.
SAVE! Super low save from Alisson to keep out a strike from Suarez!
Florenzi finds himself unmarked inside the Barcelona box, but Semedo's absolutely blistering pace allows the right-back to make the challenge. End-to-end football as this first period gathers pace here.
Roma goalkeeper Alisson is believed to be wanted by a number of clubs, and the Brazilian has already made a couple of brilliant saves in the first 31 minutes of this Champions League quarter-final.
Iniesta hits one from distance, but his effort was always moving over the crossbar.
Liverpool have taken a 3-0 lead at home to City, which is quite incredible. What on earth is happening over there? We are still awaiting the first goal here as Roma have a corner from the left cleared.
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining, and Barcelona are currently passing and probing in Roma's half of the field. Dare I say that Messi has been a little bit quiet in the first half of this match.
The tempo of the match has slowed in the last few minutes, and Roma will be happy with that. The Italian side would be absolutely delighted with a clean sheet tonight, but there is still a long way to go.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Roma (De Rossi OG)
Barcelona take the lead in the 38th minute of this first leg as De Rossi incredibly turns the ball into the bottom corner of his own net! It is actually some finish from the midfielder, who attempted to challenge Messi but instead poked past his own goalkeeper. Very strange own goal, but the hosts will not mind!
CHANCE! Messi breaks into the Roma box, but the Argentine is just bundled off the ball by Fazio at the final moment. Roma really cannot afford to concede a second at this stage of the match.
Roma have a free kick just outside the Barcelona box as Umtiti fells Pellegrini...
... Pellegrini's effort hits the wall.
Well, it has been a very interesting first half of football. De Rossi's own goal separates the two teams at this stage of the match, but Roma's boss will be pretty pleased with his team's overall performance.
BOOKING! Kolarov (Roma) is booked for a foul on Messi.
Messi's free kick is straight into the Roma wall.
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 1-0 Roma
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Barcelona leading Roma 1-0 courtesy of a spectacular own goal from De Rossi in the 38th minute. Roma have actually played pretty well for long spells of the first half, but Barcelona have carved out the clear chances on home soil.
STATISTICS! Barcelona had more of the ball in the first half (58%), while they managed eight attempts, but just two of those were on target. Roma, meanwhile, only managed two attempts off target in the first 45 minutes. Just the one booking to report, and that was for Kolarov's late challenge on Messi.
BENCH WATCH! Roma boss Di Francesco has a number of attacking options on his bench tonight, with the likes of Defrel, Schick and El Shaarawy all capable of making a difference in the second period. Barcelona head coach Valverde, meanwhile, has options in the shape of Paulinho, Dembele and Alcacer.
RESTART! Roma resume the action here...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period gathers pace at Camp Nou.
CHANCE! Huge chance for Roma to level the scores as Perotti has a free header at the far post, but the attacker sends the ball wide of the post! Barcelona were caught out at the back.
SAVE! Chance for the home side this time as Alisson fails to deal with a strike from Alba, which threatens to fall for Suarez, but the striker turns over the crossbar under pressure.
Umtiti takes a risk inside his own penalty box, but Florenzi just cannot keep the ball in play. Barcelona are looking shaky at the back in the early stages of the second half - no doubt about that!
A 1-0 defeat would not be the end of the world for Roma tonight, but the Italian side are searching for an away goal in the early stages of the second half. Barcelona have been a little bit off-colour tonight.
SAVE! Alisson keeps out a strike from Messi after the Argentine had worked some space in a dangerous position. Just a few signs that Barcelona are quickening the pace here.
Roma deserve credit for their approach to this match, and but for a freak own goal in the first half, they would be level as the second period continues to gather pace. It has been a very interesting game.
GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Roma (Umtiti)
Barcelona double their advantage in the 55th minute of this quarter-final, and it is a very bizarre goal! A low cross from Rakitic comes into the Roma box, and Umtiti bundles against the post before the ball bounces back against the centre-back and over the line. Might well be another own goal here?
CORRECTION! GOAL! Barcelona 2-0 Roma (Manolas OG)
Indeed, the goal has been credited to Manolas!
SAVE! Alisson makes a flying save to keep out a strike from Rakitic!
GOAL! Barcelona 3-0 Roma (Pique)
Barcelona have their third of the night, and that might well be the tie! Alisson keeps out a low strike from Suarez, but Pique is on hand to turn into the back of the net from close range!
ROMA SUB! Gonalons replaces Pellegrini for the away side.
This match has simply been taken away from Roma in the blink of an eye, and it is very difficult to imagine them turning things around in the second leg unless they can find one or two goals here.
Possession football for Barcelona in the last few minutes as Roma's legs continue to tire. Pique is actually the only Barcelona player on the scoresheet tonight, but the home side have a 3-0 lead.
BARCELONA SUB! Paulinho replaces Busquets in central midfield.
Messi just misses the target with a stunning volley from outside the Roma box.
Roma are simply chasing shadows at the moment as they struggle to get the ball. Messi has another opportunity following a cross from Roberto, but the Argentine cannot finish past Alisson.
Another goal for Barcelona would surely put this tie beyond Roma, although a case could be made that is already the situation at 3-0. The Italian side have really struggled since the restart here.
ROMA SUB! El Shaarawy replaces Florenzi for the away side.
Little over 15 minutes of football remaining at Camp Nou, and Barcelona are playing like a team that want another goal before the night is out. The fact that Messi and Suarez have both been off-colour tonight and Barcelona still lead 3-0 says something. That is excellent news for Valverde.
Strootman has a shot deflected behind for a Roma corner as the visitors break forward. The Italian side then threaten from two corners in quick succession, but Barcelona survive without conceding a goal.
ROMA SUB! Defrel replaces De Rossi for the away side.
SAVE! Ter Stegen is back to keep out a shot from Defrel following a mistake at the back! Barcelona have certainly caused some of their own problems in defence tonight.
SAVE! Another super Ter Stegen save to keep out a strike from Perotti!
GOAL! Barcelona 3-1 Roma (Dzeko)
Roma have one back at Camp Nou as Dzeko finds the bottom corner with a clever finish! The big striker managed to hold off Alba before finding the corner of the net!
BARCELONA SUB! Gomes replaces Roberto for the home side.
BARCELONA SUB! Denis Suarez replaces Iniesta for the home side.
BOOKING! Strootman (Roma) is booked for a foul on Messi.
GOAL! Barcelona 4-1 Roma (Luis Suarez)
What a huge goal! Barcelona have their fourth of the match in the 87th minute as Luis Suarez turns into the bottom corner from close range following a Denis Suarez cross into the Roma box!
Roma have the chance to threaten from a free kick in a dangerous position, but Kolarov misses the crossbar. It will be interesting to see how much added time is signalled at the end of the 90.
We are into the second of three additional minutes at the end of the 90.
Possession football from Barcelona as we head for the final seconds of this match.
FULL-TIME: Barcelona 4-1 Roma
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Barcelona recording a 4-1 win over Roma in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!
