Messi can put Roma to the sword
‘Barca feeling better than in treble year’
BARCELONA, April 3, (Agencies): “Welcome Romans, 100,000 gladiators await you,” warned Barcelona in a preview video ahead of their Champions League quarter-final first leg against AS Roma on Wednesday.
One warrior stands head and shoulders above the rest.
Lionel Messi is fit again and expected to start against the Italian side after rising from the bench to rescue Barcelona a point in a 2-2 draw with Sevilla on Saturday.
Messi missed Argentina’s friendlies during the international break with muscular problems, a 2-0 win over Italy and a humiliating 6-1 thrashing by Spain in Madrid. Thrown on by Ernesto Valverde just before the hour mark as Barcelona trailed Sevilla 2-0, Messi turned the tide in his team’s favour and drove home an 89th-minute equaliser from outside the area.
“He didn’t start the game as a precaution,” coach Valverde said.
“We think he will be fine for Wednesday but we will see how he feels after tonight’s effort. “Of course, he’s an important player. He makes a difference every time he touches the ball.”
The last time Roma faced Barcelona was in the Champions League group stage in November 2015, with the Catalans registering a thumping 6-1 home win over the Italians.
Messi made his return from a twomonth injury layoff in that game, running the show and scoring twice, as well as setting up Gerard Pique.
Luis Suarez, who also struck twice against Roma in that match, was pleased with the team’s attitude against Sevilla.
“It’s to Messi’s credit that he keeps on demonstrating (his class),” the Uruguayan forward said. “But the work of the whole team, to keep going and not give up, is what stays with me.”
Barcelona looked lost at Sevilla until Messi arrived, especially without Sergio Busquets anchoring the team and controlling the game.
The Catalan holding midfielder is back in training after a toe injury and could also start as Barcelona welcome Roma to their Colosseum for the first leg.
“Andres Iniesta, our Michelangelo, Leo Messi, our emperor,” Barcelona declared in the video.
While veteran playmaker Iniesta’s brush strokes in midfield paint the path, it is only with Messi leading the charge Barcelona can be confident of putting Roma to the sword and taking another step towards a potential treble.
Barcelona defender Jordi Alba says the feeling in their squad is better than in 2015, when the club won an historic second treble.
Barca are unbeaten and nine points clear at the top of La Liga this season.
They are also in the King’s Cup final and looking strong in the Champions League, where they face AS Roma on Wednesday in a quarter-final first leg clash, as they look to capture all three major trophies once again.
“In these moments I have even better feelings that this year we could repeat those achievements because, not only are we on a good path but in the three competitions we are performing consistently and at a great level,” Alba told a news conference on Tuesday.
“In the dressing room we aren’t talking about the treble but we know for our fans it is a great hope, and for us too, but there is a long way to go.”
Barcelona are favourites to beat Roma but left back Alba said the Italian side will cause problems for the hosts on Wednesday.
“We know that we have a great squad and if we are at our usual level we can beat anyone, but this is Roma, who finished first in their group with Atletico Madrid and Chelsea in,” he said.
“I’m sure they will give us trouble and we have to play with our fans behind us, which I’m sure will help us.”