An (almost) impossible mission. Roma face the great Barcelona with the obligation to score points, or else cross your fingers and postpone everything to the last day, when beating Bate Borisov at the Olimpico might not be enough. “Only a victory would change the scenarios, losing or drawing wouldn't make much difference – retorted Garcia from the Camp Nou press room. – Barça are very strong and I certainly didn't need Madrid's 4-0 to know that, but the beauty of football is that there are no games that are taken for granted, not even for them. If we think we're already defeated we don't even play, of course we'll have to be practically perfect to score points."
The French coach believes in it, on the other hand a match like this needs to be well prepared above all on a mental level. The memory of what happened a year ago with Bayern Munich (1-7 at the Olimpico) is still alive, just like the psychological backlash that he created for the whole environment. “We shouldn't think about that but only about Barça – glossed over the Frenchman. – We'll be humble but we won't start off beaten and we won't just think about defending ourselves, we know that we want to try the feat we'll have to score at least one goal. There are solutions, difficult to implement but they are there. A game like this will also help us understand our level."
Much respect but no fear, here is Garcia's message to his players. However, only the field will tell if they will be able to translate it into a great test, a sine qua non for attempting the enterprise. On paper, this Barcelona is practically unbeatable: 37 goals scored and only 14 conceded, first place in La Liga and in the Champions League group. Furthermore, a large part of this record-breaking role was achieved in the absence of Messi, testifying to how the Blaugrana are very strong even without their strongest player.
First of all thanks to Luis Enrique, one who in the capital had been branded as "incompetent" and who instead managed to bring the Catalan club back to the glories of the Guardiola era. “I hope Roma qualify but Barcelona comes first – thought the Spanish coach. – It won't be an easy game, we will have to forget the praise from Madrid and play at a very high level. Only in this way will we be able to beat the Giallorossi". A great show is expected from the Camp Nou and not only from Barça.
Despite the heavy absences of Salah and Gervinho, to which must be added the more "dated" ones of Totti and Strootman, Roma too have players capable of changing the game at any moment. Among these, barring sensational last-minute twists, there won't be Daniele De Rossi: his left thigh still hurts and Garcia, despite the call-up, seems determined not to risk it. For the rest of the 4-3-3 confirmed with Szczesny in goal, Florenzi, Manolas, Rudiger and Digne in defence, Pjanic (special observation given Barcelona's interest in him), Keita and Nainggolan in midfield, Iturbe, Dzeko and Iago Falques in attack.
Training doubts also for Luis Enrique: Iniesta has a calf problem and even Messi is not yet 100%. However, it is probable that La Pulce will play from the start together with Neymar and Suarez, for the rest Ter Stegen in goal, Dani Alves, Mathieu, Piqué and Jordi Alba in defense, Sergi Roberto, Busquets and Rakitic in midfield. The Turkish Cakir will referee, one who has far from favorable precedents with Roma: 0-2 against Bayern in November 2014, 0-3 with Fiorentina last March (Europa League).
Negative numbers, contrary to the last (and only) visit of the Giallorossi to the Camp Nou. On 20 February 2002, with the Scudetto on their chest and Fabio Capello on the bench, Roma stopped Barça at 1-1 (Panucci and Kluivert), a result which, tonight, should be more than good given the strength of the opponent. The games, however, will be decided on the last day but facing it without the hassle of "owling" Bayer Leverkusen would already be half a victory.
