Roma 3-0 Barcelona Champions League 2018: match report

Roma 3-0 Barcelona: match report

Barcelona were knocked out of the Champions League after a thundering performance by Roma to see them through to the semi-final of the Champions League. For the first time since 1984, the Italian side are amongst the best four teams in Europe. 

And based on the performance at the Stadio Olimpico, they're worth their place amongst the elite. The gameplan that Eusebio di Francesco involved a lot of running, pressing Barcelona's midfield and limiting the space Messi so often thrives in.

It worked perfectly and while they were helped with their elevated performance since a week ago, Barcelona's lack of intensity hurt them from the start.

The game was a little of two minutes old when Edin Dzeko beat two Barcelona defenders and an unusually hesitant Marc Andre Ter Stegen to give the home side the lead. There was a hint of belief in the air but nothing to get excited about just yet.

It was a bruising encounter and a proper battle in the trenches in the middle. Daniele de Rossi and Ivan Rakitic were going at it every chance that presented itself and Radja Nainggolan was like a man possessed as he looked to be taking up a number of positions.

The second half started and while Roma still believed, it looked like it was going to be a moral victory. They were set to win the battle but lose the war. 

Edin Dzeko was pulled down by Pique in the penalty are just before the hour mark and that wind that carried with it hints of belief was starting to pick up. Daniele de Rossi drove the penalty home and Roma were thinking comeback.

On 82 minutes, Roma led 3-0 and were going through. Konstantinos Manolas headed home a corner at the front post and Barcelona's Champions League hopes lay in tatters. 

They tried to force their way back into the game but Roma weren't having it. They had come this far and weren't in the mood for handing anything out for free. Even in the closing stages, Barcelona failedto register any damage and Alisson's goal was barely troubled.

Di Francesco said his side would have to perform a miracle to get themselves out of the hole the dug themselves into in the first leg. And as far as footballing miracles go, events at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday night are probably as close as you're likely to come.

Roma vs Barcelona live stream online: minute-by-minute commentary

Roma vs Barcelona live steam online: preview

Two own goals by Roma's Danielle de Rossi and Kostas Manolas helped Barcelona into a healthy lead heading into the second leg of their fixture at the Stadio Olimpico. The return fixture sees Vaverde's side travel to Rome to play Di Francesco's men with a 4-1 headstart after the first ninety minutes of the tie - the other two goals were scored by Gerard Pique and Luis Suarez. Kick-off from Rome is at 20:45 CEST.

The big news for Barcelona is that there is no news as Sergio Busquets and Lionel Messi are both fit enough to be included in Valverde's squad and look set to start. Aside from that, Lucas Digne remains out and Phillippe Coutinho is ineligible and will also miss out.

For Di Francesco, he can welcome Radja Nainggolan back to his side but is missing Diego Perotti, who injured his calf recently. The Roma manager is hoping for a passionate display in front of their home crowd, "We'll play our strongest line-up against Barcelona. We must play with passion, heart and belief right up until the final whistle if we want to do the unthinkable. We have a duty to give it everything."