For only the third time in Champions League history, a team came back from a three goal first leg deficit to turn the tie around and win.
Barcelona did it themselves last season in their epic 6-1 victory over PSG, but on Tuesday the Catalans saw the roles reversed as they were soundly beaten by a physical Roma outfit.
In what could be Andres Iniesta’s final European game for the club if his post-match comments were anything to go by, Barca simply weren’t at it. So, where did it all go wrong…
Defensive lapses
For a team that’s looked rock solid for the most part in 2017/18, the way in which Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti played at the Stadio Olimpico will have many scratching their heads.
The Frenchman seems to have had his head turned by Manchester United because ever since news of their willingness to procure him has become public, his performances have suffered. It’s a dip in form that’s lasted for a few games now and is turning into a habit.
Pique wasn’t as commanding as he has been, and the foul for the penalty was amateurish from a player of his quality. Clearly, the pairing aren’t on the same wavelength at present, and were it not for Marc-Andre ter Stegen, the Blaugrana would’ve been defeated by more than the 3-0 scoreline.
Valverde didn’t react until it was too late
For probably the first time this season, Ernesto Valverde got his tactics and substitutions all wrong.
He wouldn’t have banked on his side conceding as early as they did, but it was clear that Barca were being outmuscled and overrun, particularly in the midfield areas.
To not introduce subs, or tinker with the formation until at least the 81st minute when Barca were hanging on, was a poor decision.
Within a minute Kostas Manolas had Roma’s third and it was game over.
Frankly, Ousmane Dembele could’ve done no worse than any of the starting XI and he should’ve been given a lot longer than five minutes to get at Roma’s backline and use his pace against tiring legs.
Commentary that will make your hairs stand on end, on a night when more Roman history was made 🇮🇹
Only sport can make you feel like this...
Roma didn’t allow Semedo and Alba to settle
One aspect that has characterised Barcelona’s play for years is the ability of their full-backs to get forward and service the front men.
Eusbeio di Francesco got his tactics spot on in this regard as Aleksandar Kolarov and Alessandro Florenzi pinned both Jordi Alba and Nelson Semedo back throughout the match.
Furthermore, Semedo was at fault for the third goal and had Roma’s attackers been even more deadly, there were at least two occasions when an Alba mistake might’ve led to another.
A tough, physical central midfield ensured Barca couldn’t play it through the middle and, starved of any kind of service, Messi and Suarez were moribund for long periods.
