Barcelona look set to be back in the Champions League semifinals after a dominant display in the first leg of their tie against AS Roma. Although the legendary Lionel Messi failed to get on the scoresheet at Camp Nou, his teammates, and some unfortunate Roma defenders, were able to give Barca a nice lead heading into the second leg in Rome. A Barca goal at any point in this match will likely snuff out any chance Roma has at pulling off a miraculous comeback.
Don't miss the Champions League action from Stadio Olimpico at 2:45 p.m. ET on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. Catch every moment of the match live on FS2.
Champions League Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
FC Barcelona -153
AS Roma +376
Draw +325
Over/Under 3
Odds Analysis
Even though Roma is playing at home for the second leg, a victory for them has the longest odds on the three-way line. That magnifies the task at hand for Roma.
First Leg
Although the scoreline was 4-1 when it was all said and done, Roma played well for most of the first leg against Barcelona. Roma’s strategy was clear from the outset, defend at all costs and throw bodies at Messi to prevent the Argentinian from finding the back of the net. It worked early on, with Messi only able to create a handful of chances, but disaster struck late in the first half.
A give and go between Ivan Rakitic and Messi led to Barcelona’s first goal as a diving attempt to keep the ball out of harm’s way led to Daniele De Rossi beating his own keeper. The score was doubled on a more forgivable error in the 57th minute, when Kostas Manolas tried to a free Barca attempt, but had his attempted clearance go off the post and back into play, careening off of him into the back of the net.
After the two own goals, Gerard Pique made it 3-0 when Roma got unlucky once again. Messi had found Luis Suarez on the break, and Alisson had made a great save, but the rebound went right to Gerard Pique who converted on a tap-in. Edin Dzeko pulled one back, but then Suarez made the final 4-1 after a poor play from Roma’s Fazio inside his own box.
Injuries to Watch
Barcelona does not have Philippe Coutinho or Sergi Samper available to play in this match because of previous cup ties. Both Coutinho and Samper would play big roles otherwise for Barca. Additionally, Lucas Digne will certainly miss the match a hamstring injury.
It looks like Barca may be without midfielder Sergio Busquets too. Busquets played in the first leg against Roma, but he asked to be subbed off and his status is in doubt for this one.
Roma is relatively healthy, but they may be without two players for this match. Cengiz Under and Radja Nainggolan missed the first leg and they are listed as questionable for the return match.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
Barcelona is in great shape heading into the second leg. The club will almost certainly advance at this point, as it is hard to imagine them blowing a three-goal lead.
However, advancing doesn’t mean they have to win the match. Barca would be content with a draw or a narrow loss in this one, as it would lead to the same result. Roma did not play poorly enough to lose by three goals in the first leg, and they were a bit unlucky to have suffered that fate.
Don’t be surprised if Roma gets the first goal. However, as they continue to throw people forward in order to score the goals they need to advance, Barca will pick them apart. Messi and company will look great on the counter in a win.
Champions League Odds: Barcelona 2, AS Roma 1
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