Lovely from Manolas! Suarez gets on the end of a ball over the top and tries to head a pass back across goal, but the Greek centre-half reads it brilliantly to head behind for a corner.
90' +4
Pressure remains on and Barcelona win a second corner with Rudiger the one to keep them out on this occasion. The hosts finally can take a breather as De Sanctis collects Neymar's delivery, which could be enough to see them over the finish line here.
90' +2
Salah has to be careful! He's failed to track the run of Alba and is nearly made to pay, bailed out only by the arriving support of Torosidis. So late in the game these mental errors can prove vital and he's gotten away with one there, with Baecelona settling for a corner.
90'
There will be five minutes added onto the end of this match, which elicits a cheer from the Roma supporters who sense a chance to snatch all three points with Barcelona looking quite average in this second half.
88'
The pace has completely fizzled out of this match. Roma manage a rare foray into attack but a tame strike from Dzeko is corralled easily by Ter Stegen. Barcelona get back on the ball but they're taking their sweet time getting up the pitch.
86'
Roma make their final change of the night, looking for an added boost in defence. Florenzi gives way to a thunderous applause from these home fans. He's given them a goal to cherish for years to come. Vasilis Torosidis is the man introduced for the final five minutes.
85'
V. Torosidis enters the game and replaces A. Florenzi.
84'
It's all too static from Barcelona at the moment. Frustration is setting in for Messi who's struggling to create himself now due to the lack of movement off the ball in attack. Just over five minutes plus stoppage time remaining and it appears as though Roma may be able to see this one out.
82'
J. Iturbe enters the game and replaces Iago Falqué.
Roma meanwhile make their second change and it's been long overdue. Iago Falque has hardly been more than a spectator in the match and he's finally replaced now by the pacey Juan Manuel Iturbe. You have to think Roma will fancy their chances of stealing all three points the longer this stays 1-1.
Minute
Description
81'
SUPER DE SANCTIS! Tremendous build-up play from Barcelona which results in a mesmerizing one-two in the area between Neymar and Iniesta. The midfielder takes the return pass but De Sanctis denies him at the near post.
79'
Typical Messi! The Argentine does it all himself, getting into the area and playing keep-ups like he's still on the schoolyard! His control is superb and it allows him to poke an effort at goal, but it crashes onto the roof of the net.
77'
STAT ATTACK: Barcelona have not won all three of their away matches in the Champions League group stage since 2011 (defeating BATE, Viktoria Plzen and Milan). They suffered defeats in each of their last three group stage campaigns on their travels (Celtic, Ajax and PSG).
75'
Piqué gets yellow.
Pique goes into the referee's book as he's unable to cut out the strong hold-up play of Dzeko near the halfway line. Roma push forward quickly and the ball comes to Florenzi atop the area. He cuts across onto his left, but drives a shot well over the bar from a promising position... it was probably too close for him.
73'
Falque gets what almost certainly has to be his first touch of the match. He makes a good diagonal run to make himself available for Salah, but when he does get the ball he can't pick out a cross and Barcelona are able to clear their lines.
71'
This is by far the longest spell of the match played in Barcelona's end, but it comes to nothing for Roma who lack the end product to make it count. The visitors know all too much about that, spending the bulk of the game in the Giallorossi's end with little to show for it.
69'
Roma on the front foot now as we approach the final 20 minutes. Florenzi and Salah do very well to keep the ball along the right flank, but some disciplined defending from Barcelona doesn't afford them a way through.
67'
STAT ATTACK: Roma have lost four of their last six Champions League matches at the Stadio Olimpico (W2), with 30 goals being scored in those fixtures – an average of five per match.
65'
J. Mascherano enters the game and replaces Rafinha.
This game has been unable to take off in the second half as a result to lengthy injury stoppages for Szczesny and Rafinha. It does work in the favour of Roma, but we are undoubtedly in for a large amount of stoppage time following the completion of the allotted 90 minutes.
63'
R. Nainggolan gets yellow.
Nainggolan commits a rough challenge on Rafinha. There's no malicious intent behind it, but the timing of the tackle was not kind to the Brazilian who has gone down here with the physio staff now calling for the stretcher - a real shame for the player who has only just come on!
62'
Rafinha enters the game and replaces I. Rakitić.
61'
This is an interesting change indeed from Barcelona and it's Rafinha who comes on to replace Rakitic. The Brazilian is a wide player, which suggests Messi may move into the centre permanently here.
59'
Both teams send a few substitutes out to warm up and it looks like Barcelona boss Luis Enrique is keen to make a switch. They've lacked the killer instinct in attack and could use an injection of pace and determination out wide with Neymar and Messi often drifting into the centre.
57'
Delicious delivery! Messi is putting on a passing clinic out wide. Again he carves out a bit of space for himself and plays a tremendous ball in to pick out Neymar, but the Brazilian's volley is tame and straight at the alert De Sanctis.
55'
Despite still being dominated in the possession category, something about the energy of Roma suggest they are growing into this game quite nicely. They've remained very disciplined and organized at the back which has stifled Barcelona's feared attack.
53'
STAT ATTACK: Barcelona were not held scoreless in any of their away matches in the 2014/15 Champions League, recording 15 goals in six contests (W4, L2).
51'
The good news for Roma is Morgan De Sanctis is a very capable replacement - not to mention fan favourite at the Stadio Olimpico. He trots onto the pitch to a rowdy applause from the home fans and play will resume without the keeper able to warm up.
50'
M. De Sanctis enters the game and replaces W. Szczęsny.
Worrying moments for the hosts as Szczesny appears to have injured himself following the latest Barcelona chance with Suarez catching him, albeit accidentally. It seems to be the left hand of the keeper that's been hurt here and the physio staff has gestured to the sidelines for a change.
48'
Barcelona start on the front foot, after Roma ended the half so strong. Alba is spotted on an advanced run into the area by Messi and he squares for Suarez with a clever back-heel, but the striker scuffs his effort on goal.
46'
Back underway at the Stadio Olimpico!
45' +1
ROMA SPRINGING TO LIFE! This was the original plan for them surely, remaining organized and disciplined at the back before springing forward on the counter. Salah sprints into the area, fending off two defenders, but he lifts an effort over the bar.
44'
WONDERFUL SAVE! Much better for Roma this time as they get higher up the pitch thanks to the pressing of Digne to win the ball back. It's worked into the path of Nainggolan who drives an effort towards the far post from range, but Ter Stegen does so well to dive across and keep it out.
43'
Rudiger has been exceptional at the back for Roma, and although most will be talking about his goal after the game, so has Florenzi. The right-back has completely nullified the impact of Neymar on the left, while Rudiger's support on Messi has been top notch. It's not often you see the Argentine concede possession but he's done so a few times this half.
41'
STAT ATTACK: Roma last faced Spanish opposition in the 2007/08 round of 16, recording a pair of 2-1 victories over Real Madrid. Their overall record against La Liga opponents is six wins and five losses – without a single draw.
39'
Lovely footwork from Messi! We're used to seeing that from the Argentine, skipping past Digne and Keita inside the area with a lovely change of direction, but he's unable to squeeze a shot past Szczesny at the near post.
37'
Back to the game at hand now. Both teams seem a bit startled with how Roma have pulled themselves level and the tempo hasn't quite picked up since the equalizer. Barcelona are still enjoying the bulk of possession, but the majority of it is coming at or just inside the halfway line.
35'
Of course there will be claims about the positioning of Ter Stegen, but those are hardly justified. We've seen players go for goal from a similar range before, but to be that far wide on the pitch and do so is completely unexpected. Even if he was playing on his line he would only have been able to knock it over the bar.
33'
They will be talking about that for years to come! It's a goal that flirts with the boundaries of reality and fiction. There's little reason for him to go for goal there, but fortune favours the bold - and he's got it in waves the young right-back.
31'
A. Florenzi has scored a goal for Roma!
OH MY WORD THAT IT ABSOLUTELY SENSATIONAL! That borders on the unbelievable... the shocking... the sublime! Alessandro Florenzi crosses the halfway line near the far touchline and with little else on he goes for goal, shockingly. His effort is an absolute work of art, lifting over Ter Stegen, rattling the underside of the bar and into the back of the net!
29'
STAT ATTACK: In five Champions League appearances with Barcelona away from home, Luis Suarez has scored five goals and provided two assists. He's added to that tally with a goal tonight in his sixth appearance.
27'
This is a very poor period for Roma who need to put the early goal behind them and focus on playing their game. They were defending admirably up until that bit of bad luck, but now they seem thrown off by falling behind and are really struggling to win the ball back.
25'
PENALTY APPEALS DENIED! Suarez is played through into the area and arrives at the ball first to touch it past Szczesny. The keeper makes clear contact and the striker goes to ground, but there's nothing given! It could have gone either way, and I think this is simply a case of the referee looking to stay out of the headlines after the early controversy already.
23'
Roma feel hard done by after that one, but there's little for them to protest other than a bit of bad luck. They feel there may have been a foul from Messi on Digne atop the area, but it's quite a stretch. Rudi Garcia is also shouting for offside but that wasn't the case.
21'
L. Suárez has scored a goal for Barcelona! Assist by I. Rakitić.
THE TITLE HOLDERS ARE OFF AND RUNNING! It's the first goal of the campaign for Barcelona and it comes with a bit of luck. Digne trips atop the area trying to win a ball in the air, allowing the ball to run to Rakitic on the right. The Croatian goes for goal from a tight angle, but instead a deflection off Rudiger takes it straight to Suarez at the far post to head home.
19'
STAT ATTACK: Barcelona have managed just one victory in their last six matches in Italy (D3, L2), a 3-2 triumph over Milan in the 2011 group stage.
17'
There's the first probing move from Barcelona! De Rossi gives away possession in his own end which allows Iniesta to keep the pressure on. He picks out Messi who works a one-two with Neymar inside the area, but the Roma captain recovers, sliding in brilliantly to cut out the chance at the vital moment.
15'
Barcelona have had limited success going forward in the opening quarter-of-an-hour. Roma are dropping very deep in defence, but closing their gaps well and applying lovely pressure on the flanks which has made it very difficult on the title holders in attack.
13'
One thing Roma do need to do is to get De Rossi more of the ball. The midfielder is the one who pulls the strings in the team, and it's a big part of the reason he's out there - with his defensive capabilities not the greatest. They're looking to break quickly when they get the ball, however, which has limited the skipper in possession.
11'
Barcelona are looking far from convincing in defence in these early stages. They're uncharacteristically being caught in possession in midfield and Roma have been able to exploit the space given to them on the counter. Dzeko is the latest to sprint forward, two-against-two with Salah, but again the final ball lets the hosts down.
9'
STAT ATTACK: This is just the third competitive meeting between the two clubs. They were paired together in the Champions League second group stage in 2001/02, with Barcelona held to a 1-1 draw at the Camp Nou before falling 3-0 to Roma in the Italian capital. Now Blaugrana coach and former Roma boss Luis Enrique started both games for the Spanish giants.
7'
Salah is running confidently in these early stages. He sprung through along the right and looks to take on Mathieu, but good tracking from Busquets cuts out the chance. A minute later the Egyptian is at it again, this time with support, but he can't pick out Dzeko in the centre.
5'
GREAT CONTACT! Early warning issued from Lionel Messi who takes advantage of the space awarded to him by De Rossi. The Argentine cuts onto his left atop the area and drives a blistering shot that sails just over the bar at the near post.
3'
Roma enjoy a limited spell in possession following kick-off but it's Barcelona who quickly take control with their comfortable passing in midfield. Wojciech Szczesny is thrust into action for the first time, but it's little trouble for the keeper who comes out to collect a through ball intended for Luis Suarez.
1'
And we're off in Rome! The hosts in their classic imperial purple shirts - at least that's how they describe it - with Barcelona in light blue attacking left to right.
Hello and welcome to Italy! The Stadio Olimpico is our venue this evening as last season’s champions Barcelona kick-off their title defence against Roma, who will look to spoil the return of Luis Enrique to the Italian capital. I am Alex Moretto and I will be your in-game host, guiding you through the match LIVE as it happens!
Barcelona thrust themselves back into action following last season’s success, but will surely have a target on their back this campaign. They are, after all, the team to beat. There’s been little turnover in the squad which bodes well for them as they attempt to become the first club to successfully defend their title in the Champions League era – something boss Luis Enrique says serves as motivation for the Blaugrana, not a source of pressure.
Roma were rather unimpressive in their return to the Champions League a year ago, exiting without much of a whimper behind the likes of Bayern Munich and Manchester City. They were unable to test the top teams in the group, which is what makes this such an important contest for Rudi Garcia’s men tonight. They will hope to provide stern resistance for the defending champions and give their qualification hopes – and confidence – a big boost by picking up a result tonight.
CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS:
BARCELONA (4-3-3); Ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Mathieu, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Messi, Neymar, Suarez.
ROMA (4-3-3): Szczesny; Florenzi, Manolas, Rudiger, Digne; Nainggolan, De Rossi, Keita; Salah, Falque, Dzeko.
SUBS: Iturbe, Totti, Maicon, Vainqueur, De Sanctis, Gervinho, Torosidis.
Lionel Messi returns to the team, though it hardly comes as a surprise, after being relegated to a role as a substitute against Atletico on the weekend due to fatigue. Rafinha is dropped to the bench as a result. Thomas Vermaelen is forced to miss out with a calf injury, while Javier Mascherano starts on the bench as Luis Enrique opts to play with a partnership of Gerard Pique and Jeremy Mathieu in defence. Sergi Roberto continues to deputize in the absence of Dani Alves.
Rudi Garcia has made a pair of changes to his team following their 2-0 victory over Frosinone on Saturday. Radja Nainggolan returns after being given a rest on the weekend, as does Mohamed Salah. Gervinho and Francesco Totti are the ones to give way. The return of the Belgian midfielder gives Roma a very different dynamic in midfield - with his work ethic and box-to-box style expected to be heavily relied upon.
The Roma anthem is belted out wonderfully through the Stadio Olimpico in anticipation for kick-off. The players are making their way out in just a minute and they are in for quite the incredible atmosphere tonight!
The coaches exchange pleasantries, as do the experienced and quite familiar Andres Iniesta and Daniele de Rossi. Settle in, this is going to be a fun 90 minutes!
HALF TIME: ROMA 1-1 BARCELONA. If possession won games, the title holders would have already clinched three points. Thankfully for the hosts it doesn't and an absolute belter from Florenzi has restored parity at the Stadio Olimpico following Suarez's opener.
FULL TIME: ROMA 1-1 BARCELONA. Alessandro Florenzi's wonder-strike from 60 yards out spoils Luis Enrique's return while preventing the Blaugrana from getting their title defence off to a winning start. It's a massive confidence boost for the Giallorossi, perhaps repairing some of the damage done by last season's 7-1 defeat at home to Bayern.
Barcelona return home next for a date with group leaders Leverkusen, while Roma take to the road where they will clash with BATE at the end of the month. I am Alex Moretto and I would like to thank you all for joining me here today. Good bye!
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