With just two group stage matches remaining, all of the 32 teams featuring in this year's Champions League will be hoping for some positive results on matchday five. Some have already secured their spot in the round of 16, but still want to finish strong to enter the knock-out stages as a top seed. Others are on the cusp of qualifying and want to make sure they seal that by winning either today or tomorrow. And then there are still others whose progression hopes are hanging by a thread.
In the case of Barcelona, the Catalans sit on top of Group E and are still unbeaten in four rounds of action. Additionally, their massive points advantage have left them in pole position to qualify as the top seed from their quartet whilst the three other teams - Roma, Bayer Leverkusen and to some extent, Belarusian outfit BATE - all battle for either a knockout spot or a Europa League berth.
How Group E looks prior to today's game between Barcelona and Roma:
Barcelona
What better way to send a clear message to any potential rivals by defeating your toughest opponent? And even more so in the famed El Clasico? This past weekend, the Blaugrana crushed Real Madrid at the latter's home stadium 4-0 in a game that was surprisingly one sided. In fact, the score-line could have been even worse for Rafa Benitez's side, who were outplayed and outclassed during the entire 90-plus minutes of action.
The victory - their fourth straight on the trot - also clearly showed that Barcelona are more than able to cope with the absence of talismanic attacker Lionel Messi, who has been out since September with a knee injury. Although the four-time Ballon d'Or winner came on as a sub, it was arguably Neymar, Andres Iniesta, and Luis Suarez who were the stars of the show, with Suarez netting two out of the team's four goals to send Barcelona six points clear of their arch rivals (and four ahead of Atletico Madrid) at the top of the La Liga table.
Luis Suarez and Neymar have been in imperious form in the absence of Messi and played a starring role in Barcelona's 4-0 demolition of Real Madrid in last weekend's El Clasico
In the Champions League, save for a 1-1 draw with Roma, they have not been troubled by any of the other teams and only need a draw to qualify for the next round. Of coures, in the form that Luis Enrique's men have been in, one certainly should not bet against them clinching another win, especially given the indifferent form of Roma as of late.
It also will be the third time Luis Enrique faces his former side, and he will be seeking his first competitive win over the Lupi as their only victory was during a friendly match back in August. He will have to make do without Javier Mascherano, who limped off with a thigh injury during Saturday's clash and long-term absentee Rafinha after he suffered an ACL injury during his team's meeting with Roma on September 16th. As for Messi, it has not been confirmed whether the Argentinian superstar will start or again come on as a sub, but either way, Roma will surely be not looking forward to taking on the Catalan giants at Camp Nou later today.
Roma
The Giallorossi might sit in second place with five points, but they will be feeling the pressure from Bayer Leverkusen. Should they lose and the Germans win, Rudi Garcia's side will find themselves in a precarious position and will need to absolutely crush BATE in order to have a chance of qualifying. They did start their Champions League campaign off well, by holding Barcelona to an impressive 1-1 stalemate at the Stadio Olimpico thanks to Alessandro Florenzi's wonder strike. However, they threw away a golden opportunity by suffering a shock loss to BATE and then allowing Bayern Leverkusen to snatch a point after leading 4-2 and then conceding twice in two minutes.
So although they did grind out a win over their German opponents, Roma certainly could have been on the tails of Barcelona had they done things right. Unfortunately, they are five points behind and will need to avoid defeat at Camp Nou if they want to keep their qualification hopes alive. Last season saw them dumped out of the Champions League and fail to make it past Fiorentina in the Europa League and Garcia's men will be hoping to improve their European fortunes this time around.
Unlike the Blaugrana, who are brimming with confidence after a resounding domestic win this past weekend, Roma will probably not be feeling the same way, especially after throwing away an opportunity to temporarily top Serie A by again throwing away a lead to draw with struggling side Bologna. To compound matters, whilst Luis Enrique has the bulk of his attack ready to go, Garcia will have to make do without the services of key trio Mohamed Salah, Francesco Totti, and Gervinho, with all three still on the treatment table due to injury.
Which channel is broadcasting Barcelona vs Roma on TV or Online?
If you are fortunate to be in Spain - especially in Barcelona - maybe you will have the chance to watch Barcelona facing Roma at Camp Nou in person. For the rest of us, we will have to catch the game on TV or via online streaming on our phones, tablets, and computers. Here are some options for fans residing in the following countries:
- In the USA at 14.45 EST on: Fox Sports GO, Fox Sports 2 USA, ESPN Deportes TV, Fox Soccer 2GO USA
- In the UK at 19.45 GMT on: BT Sport Extra, BT Sport Live Streaming
- In Canada at 14.45 EST on: beIN SPORTS CONNECT Canada, beIN Sports Canada
- In Spain at 20.45 CET on: TV3, Antena 3
- In Italy at 20.45 CET on: PremiumSport HD, Canale 5
Are you elsewhere in the world? Well, LiveSoccerTV.com still has you covered. Simply visit our special Barcelona vs. Roma broadcast page for viewing options and times for your specific location.
*Note: Live broadcast data is subject to change*
Interestingly, in terms of head-to-head record, Roma enjoy the historical advantage as Barcelona have never beaten them in a competitive fixture. In their last Champions League meeting during the 2001/2002 edition, the first leg finished as a 1-1 draw before the Blaugrana were thrashed 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico in the second leg and current Barcelona coach Luis Enrique was part of that squad.
Will that change tonight? Tune in to find out!
Team sheets for Barcelona vs AS Roma
Barcelona's Starting XI: Ter Stegen, Piqué, Rakitic, Sergio, Alves, Suárez, Messi, Neymar Jr, Jordi Alba, S.Roberto, Vermaelen
AS Roma's Starting XI: Szczęsny, Rüdiger, Digne, Maicon, Manolas, Nainggolan, Falqué, Pjanić, Keita, Florenzi, Džeko.
Barcelona's bench: Bravo, A.Iniesta, Bartra, Munir, Adriano, Mathieu, Samper.
AS Roma's bench: to follow.
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
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