Big win over Roma, Barca puts one foot in Champions League semi-finals

Goals: De Rossi own goal 38', Manolas own goal 55', Pique 59', Luis Suarez 87' - Dzeko 80'

With Messi back in the starting line-up, Barca dominated from the start. Luis Suarez had a shot against Roma after seven minutes (disallowed for offside), while Ivan Rakitic hit the right post with a cross in the 18th minute.

Understanding Barca's attacking power from the 1-6 defeat in the 2015-2016 group stage, Roma organized a zonal defense with eight players constantly present to protect the penalty area. This tactic proved to be somewhat effective in limiting many of the home team's attacks.

Faced with a dense defense, Messi did not have much space to maneuver and shoot. Luis Suarez, Rakitic and Andres Iniesta also did not have many opportunities, before having to turn to try their luck with long-range shots.

Patiently attacking, Barca had to wait until the 38th minute to find a way into Roma's goal in the 38th minute. After Iniesta's pass into the penalty area, in an attempt to prevent Messi from finishing, midfielder Daniele De Rossi kicked the ball into his own net, giving the home team the opening goal.

With no better solution, Roma continued to be under pressure after the break. With rhythmic passing and attacks from both wings, Barca once again made the visitors pay in the 55th minute. From Rakitic's cross, after Samuel Umtiti rushed in and hit the post, centre-back Manolas let the ball bounce off him and into the goal, helping Barca increase the score to 2-0.

Conceding two goals in just over half the match, Roma showed signs of falling apart. The visitors' defense was no longer focused in their pursuit, and at the same time left many gaps for Barca to finish. In the 59th minute, the home team scored the third goal when Luis Suarez curled a shot that bounced off goalkeeper Alisson Becker and Gerard Pique scored a close-range rebound.

Only when they were three goals down did Roma make a strong response. From midway through the second half, Perotti, Dzeko and El Shaarawy all had chances to shoot at Barca's goal. Goalkeeper Ter Stegen showed his ability to block at least two clear goals. Roma had to wait until the 80th minute to equalize.Taking advantage of the space in the penalty area after Perotti's cross, Dzeko finished from six meters to reduce the gap to 1-3.

The equalizer gave hope to Roma, but also boosted Barca's morale. Wanting to ensure a big gap, the home team once again attacked the visitors' goal with great force. Not disappointing the fans' expectations, in the 87th minute, Luis Suarez took advantage of a poor clearance from Roma's defense to shoot diagonally to seal the 4-1 victory.

The win over Roma was not too impressive but it was enough to help Barca achieve their goal. With a three-goal difference, the Spanish team now holds a big advantage ahead of the return leg in Italy next week.