Barcelona 4 Roma 1: Luis Suarez nets first Champions League goal for nearly 12 months as under par Catalans take control of tie
Lionel Messi was barely needed as home side rely on own goals from Daniele De Rossi and Kostas Manolas at Nou Camp
LUIS SUAREZ scored his first Champions League goal in almost 12 months as Barcelona took control of the tie.
Roma found themselves 2-0 down after Daniele De Rossi and Kostas Manolas had put past their own goalkeeper, despite holding their own at the Nou Camp.
And the tie looked to be over as a contest when Gerard Pique tapped home a third for the hosts.
But, undeterred, Roma pushed for an away goal to take back to the Italian capital, and duly found it as Edin Dzeko slotted past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
However, Suarez's late fourth means this there is surely no way back for the Giallorossi.
The result flattered the hosts, who were way below their usual best — while Roma will feel seriously hard done by having produced an impressive performance.
Straight from kick-off, the visitors went in search of the opener, but Barcelona soon took control of proceedings.
Ivan Rakitic hit the post for the hosts before the match was momentarily halted as yellow balloons rained down on the pitch in an apparent political protest.
And, on 38 minutes, the home side took the lead — but only after a huge slice of luck.
Andres Iniesta attempted to pull the ball back for an onrushing Lionel Messi, only for De Rossi to slide in and knock the ball past a stricken Alisson.
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Things got worse for Roma as they fell further behind moments after the break, once again suffering from serious misfortune.
Samuel Umtiti's close-range effort hit the post, rebounded against the Frenchman before eventually going in off Manolas.
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And, on 59 minutes, Pique put the hosts in complete control as he bundled home a third.
Fearful the tie was getting away from them, Roma went for broke and only a superb Ter Stegen save stopped them getting one back.
They did eventually get on the scoresheet as Dzeko slotted the ball past the German with a goal which appeared likely to set up an intriguing second leg.
However, Suarez put any talk of a contest to bed with a late goal, which gave the Catalans a 4-1 lead and one foot in the semi-finals.
Aleksandar Kolarov had the chance to get a second with the last kick of the game, but fired his free-kick over the bar.
Buoyed on by his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo's sensational overhead kick last night, Messi attempted a few speculative efforts, but nothing which truly looked to trouble Alisson.