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Calamitous Barcelona in ruins as Roma topple Messi's empire

The Blaugrana crashed out of the Champions League on away goals after a shock 3-0 loss in Italy that sees their treble hopes go up in smoke The famous Champions League comeback happened after all on Tuesday – just not in the game everyone expected. While all of the talk in the build-up was about whether Manchester City could overturn a three-goal deficit against Liverpool, few gave Roma much hope of a turnaround at home to Barcelona. But the Serie A side pulled off a rousing remontada to dash the Catalans' Champions League dreams and also their hopes of winning the treble. Barca had not lost in Europe or in La Liga all season prior to this match, but some warning signs were there. Last Wednesday's 4-1 win over Roma arrived courtesy of two own goals and also a scoreline that flattered the Blaugrana hugely. Roma had been excellent in the Camp Nou clash and the final result was excessive punishment. The tie appeared to be over. But against Leganes on Saturday, ...

Two own-goals from Daniele De Rossi and Kostas Manolas sunk AS Roma

Two own-goals, from Daniele De Rossi and Kostas Manolas, and a close-range finish from Gerard Pique, presented the Catalans with a flattering 3-0 advantage at the Camp Nou before Edin Dzeko snatched Roma a late away goal.  But, just as the Italians looked to have grabbed a lifeline, Luis Suarez restored the three-goal cushion, by scoring a fourth in the 87th minute.  It means Barca will head to Italy next week with a place in the last four firmly in their grasp but this was not a virtuoso attacking display.  Instead, they benefited from two fortuitous own goals and some careless Roma finishing. They are unlikely to meet as generous an opponent in the semis.  “We did not that have continuity in the game,” Valverde said. “We had some errors and there were times that we rushed into the attack, instead of having some control.”  Barca also had referee Danny Makkelie to thank for not awarding Roma an early penalty, after Nelson Semedo pushed Dzeko in th...

Valverde admits Barca below par despite emphatic win over Roma

Two own-goals, from Daniele De Rossi and Kostas Manolas, and a close-range finish from Gerard Pique, presented the Catalans with a flattering 3-0 advantage at the Camp Nou before Edin Dzeko snatched Roma a late away goal.  But, just as the Italians looked to have grabbed a lifeline, Luis Suarez restored the three-goal cushion, by scoring a fourth in the 87th minute.  It means Barca will head to Italy next week with a place in the last four firmly in their grasp but this was not a virtuoso attacking display.  Instead, they benefited from two fortuitous own goals and some careless Roma finishing. They are unlikely to meet as generous an opponent in the semis.  “We did not that have continuity in the game,” Valverde said. “We had some errors and there were times that we rushed into the attack, instead of having some control.”  Barca also had referee Danny Makkelie to thank for not awarding Roma an early penalty, after Nelson Semedo pushed Dzeko in the...