BARCA FANS GIVE ROMA NOU CHANCE

ERNESTO VALVERDE wants Barcelona fans to back their team like they did against Chelsea.

Two goals from Lionel Messi (above) last month knocked the Blues out of the Champions League in a crackling Nou Camp atmosphere.

And Barca coach Valverde wants a repeat performance tonight to take the first-leg initiative against Roma.

He said: “If you watched the way Roma played in their group, it’s no surprise they’ve got this far. They’re solid, but with attacking prowess.

“Being favourites doesn’t mean anything. Everything’s up for grabs. We’ll have to play extraordinarily well to beat them. I hope the fans turn out in huge numbers to back us against Roma and roar us on like they did against Chelsea.

“The fact that it’s April and we have a chance of winning all the competitions we are involved in is a credit to the talent of my players.”

Defender Jordi Alba is excited at the prospect of three big trophies, but knows there is still a lot of work to do in the Champions League.

Alba said: “We are in the Copa del Rey final and top of the Liga, but there are some great rivals in the Champions League quarter-finals.

“But we know how much quality we have.”