Roma shoot themselves in foot
Barcelona, April 5: Barcelona can start planning for the Champions League semifinals but their 4-1 win over Roma on Wednesday will not necessarily have rivals quivering in their boots.
Two own-goals, from Daniele De Rossi and Kostas Manolas, and a close-range finish from Gerard Pique, presented the Catalans with a flattering 3-0 advantage at the Camp Nou before Edin Dzeko snatched Roma a late away goal.
But, just as the Italians looked to have grabbed a lifeline, Luis Suarez restored the three-goal cushion, by scoring a fourth in the 87th minute.
It means Barca will head to Italy next week with a place in the last four firmly in their grasp but this was not a virtuouso attacking display.
Instead, they benefited from two fortuitous own goals and some careless Roma finishing.
Messi returned to the starting line-up after recovering from his hamstring complaint, as did Sergio Busquets, back after breaking his toe against Chelsea three weeks ago.
Roma’s own midfield enforcer Radja Nainggolan was missing with a hamstring strain.
Barca struggled for fluency in the first half, with Roma’s nine-man defen- sive action largely successful in channelling their opponents’ attacks down the centre, where the visitors were able to tackle, block and contain the space.
The only real early threat from Barca came through Ivan Rakitic’s cross-shot, which curved without a touch all the way through to the far post, which it struck and bounced out. By then, Roma were unfortunate not to have had a penalty as Dzeko nipped in front of Nelson Semedo, who pushed the attacker in the back. Referee Danny Makkelie, however, was unmoved.