Shoddy Barca cash in on Roma’s double trouble
DON’T let the scoreline fool you. This was not majestic Barcelona brushing aside Roma en route to the Champions League semi-finals. The Catalans were shoddy at times, fortunate throughout, and indebted to Roma for such a handsome win. Barcelona’s first two goals were scored by Roma players Daniele de Rossi and Kostas Manolas. Gerard Pique, who scored the third, insisted: ‘It’s not just luck that we get own goals in our favour. Things happen for a reason. If these goals go our way it’s because we press high, we push up in attack.’ Roma scored 10 minutes from time when Diego Perotti crossed and Edin Dzeko pounced. But the former Manchester City striker was furious to be denied a penalty in the first half when he tangled with Nelson Semedo. ‘The referee needs to have the courage to give a penalty against Barcelona,’ he said. ‘We are also in the quarterfinals and all the teams here have earned the right to play.’ Luis Suarez scored his first Champions League goal for over a year to make it 4-1. The result should be enough to see Barcelona through but they will need to find another gear to win the competition.