Champions League Quarter-Final Overview: Barcelona vs Roma
Key Points
Messi is indispensable as he proved again over the weekend. Although he clearly is not 100% fit, Roma could have difficulties in the first leg in the Camp Nou.
Dzeko has been the standout performer for Roma, also proving himself vital over the weekend helping his team to a 1-1 draw against Bologna. He will need to play well if Roma have any chance to advance in this tie.
With Dembele slowly growing in confidence, and Busquets returning from injury, Barcelona will feel confident ahead of this first leg at home.
The Italians are one of the introverts of this tie. To be fair, they have not been really convincing but got the job done. The She-Wolf scarcely got past Shakhtar Donetsk on away goals rule after a disciplined 1-0 victory in the second leg. What matters now at this stage of the competition is experience and boy do they have plenty. Boasting of a line-up with the likes of Edin Dzeko, Stephan El Shaarawy, Kolarov, De Rossi, Radja Nainggolan only to mention but a few - Roma can frustrate anyone on a good day. Let us not forget how their 3-0 thrashing of Chelsea in the group stages, topping a group also occupied by Atletico Madrid.
But will they really prevent Messi from giving us another plat du jour? Goalkeeper Alisson Becker should better keep his legs closed at all times.
