Champions League preview: Barcelona take on AS Roma in quater-finals

FC Barcelona has marked a record as they have registeredan 11thconsecutive appearance in the quarter-finals of UEFA Champions League to clash with AS Roma in the first leg of the round of eight at Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain.

Barca defeated Chelsea in the previous round to reach here. The team is currently in the best form as there is no news of injury and their star player, Lionel Messi is back as he attendedthe practice session. He was sufferinga muscle injury.

The Argentine striker came off the bench to draw the last LaLiga match against Sevilla by scoring an 89th-minute goal to rescue Barca's unbeaten run.

The clash is considered favourable for Catalan side but their coach Ernesto Valverde rejected the notion and said, "Roma are no surprise package, if you look at their matches in the group stages, they played really well."

Roma is very comfortable when they play away match so at Camp Nou they have already earned some advantage. The decisive clash will be at their home ground and they will look to churn out benefits there.

As football is a game of uncertainties but still the probability is still higher on the Spanish giant's side and Barca will look to enter semi-finals of the tournament.

Playing XI (TBC)

Barcelona: Ter Stegen Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Alba Dembele, Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta Messi, Suarez

Roma: Alisson Florenzi, Fazio, Manolas, Kolarov Nainggolan, De Rossi, Strootman El Shaarawy, Dzeko, Perotti