MADRID, April 4 (Xinhua) -- A combination of sharp finishing and good luck gave FC Barcelona a 4-1 win at home to AS Roma in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
Although Barca were unconvincing at times (especially when Sergio Busquets left the pitch), two own goals and the striking instincts of Luis Suarez were vital in securing what in the end a comfortable lead to take to Rome next Tuesday.
With Busquets cleared to play after recovering from a broken bone in his foot, the surprise in the Barcelona starting 11 with Nelson Semedo starting at right back to allow Sergi Roberto to play in a more advanced role.
The feeling after the draw three weeks ago was that Roma were perhaps the best rivals for Barcelona to face in the quarter finals, but for the first 45 minutes that was far from the case as the well-organized Italians crowded Barca out every time they touched the ball
Leo Messi found himself surrounded by 3 or 4 players every time he was in possession, although a long range shot from the Argentinean was one of Barca's few chances before the took the lead with a touch of fortune in the 38th minute.
The ball was heading to Messi from Andres Iniesta and Daniele De Rossi's outstretched foot not only took it away from the Barca striker, but also past his keeper Alisson and into the net.
The second half started with a flurry from Roma and Diego Perotti should have equalized with a free header just 20 seconds after the restart only to head wide. Kolarov sent a dangerous cross through the Barca area and Samuel Umtiti got himself in a tangle with another ball in the six-yard box.
However, fortune again favored Barca following a short corner which Umtiti touched onto the post with the ball rebounding into the Roma net off Kostas Manolas for the second own goal of the night.
With Roma stunned by the second goal, Suarez found space in the 59th minute and although Alisson saved his shot Pique was on hand to make it 3-0 with a simple tap in.
Valverde then replaced the tiring Busquets with Paulinho and Roma twice went close to an important away goal after Ter Stegen pulled off magnificent saves first to deny Defrei after the keeper had given the ball away, and then to save a Perotti shot which looked destined for the top corner.
He could do nothing to stop Edin Dzeko scoring from the center of the area following a Perotti pass with 10 minutes remaining.
Luis Suarez scored Barca's fourth of the night with three minutes remaining to give Barca what should be a comfortable cushion for next week's return leg.
