Barcelona v Roma: line-ups, Fantasy tips, form guide
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
Article summary
All the essentials as former champions Barcelona – playing in their 11th successive quarter-final – face Roma.
Article top media content
Article body
- Busquets a fitness doubt but trained on Tuesday
- Messi has 12 goals in 19 games against Italian clubs
- Roma targeting first semi-final since 1983/84
- Follow live build-up to the game right here
- How to watch the game where you are
Reporter's view: Ernesto Valverde may reject the idea of there being a favourite in this tie, but that's one of the burdens that Barça will have to contend with. Exactly how recovered from his groin and hamstring pain Lionel Messi is will dictate much of the pace of the match, perhaps even the result. Yet almost of equal importance is the return to fitness of Sergio Busquets who, Valverde admits, provides equilibrium. This will be a fascinating clash of styles.
Possible line-ups
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Piqué, Umtiti, Alba; Paulinho, Busquets, Rakitić, Iniesta; Suárez, Messi
Out: none
Doubtful: Busquets (recuperation)
Roma: Alisson; Florenzi, Fazio, Manolas, Kolarov; Nainggolan, De Rossi, Strootman; El Shaarawy, Džeko, Perotti
Out: Karsdorp (knee), Ünder (thigh)
Doubtful: Nainggolan (thigh), Pellegrini (calf)
Fantasy Football top point scorers
Barcelona: Lionel Messi, forward (43 points, €12.1m)
Roma: Edin Džeko, forward (40 points, €10.7m)
Where to watch
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.
Weekend results
Sevilla 2-2 Barcelona
Bologna 1-1 Roma
Form guide*
Barcelona: DWWWWD
Roma: DWWWWL
*All competitions, most recent first
Ernesto Valverde, Barcelona coach
Having watched Roma's matches in their group it was no surprise to me that they went through or got this far. They defend solidly as a unit and are good in an attacking sense too. This is a Champions League quarter-final – it won't be easy getting past Roma and I don't like the idea that things could be settled after the first leg. I hope our fans will roar us on like they did against Chelsea in the last round.
Eusebio Di Francesco, Roma coach
Tomorrow, more than ever, we have to stick together as a team. We come here with the desire to do something extraordinary, but equally with great respect for our opponents – perhaps the best side in the world. We want to continue to dream. We need to allow Barcelona the minimum possible opportunities but we must play without a complex; we must play 'our' football and not be afraid of being in possession of the ball.