Champions League exit against Roma was proof ageing team can no longer rely on Lionel Messi to get them out of trouble
If it was possible for Barcelona not to become overwhelmed by despair when they fell to Juventus last season, there was no way for them to rationalise their stunning collapse against Roma on Tuesday. Succumbing to the best team in Italy and a fellow European giant did not feel like a drama, even though they had started the tie as slight favourites. But folding so meekly against Roma has exposed a deeper malaise.
Roma should not be patronised given they have taken some serious scalps, from finishing top of a group that contained Atlético Madrid and Chelsea to overcoming the awkward challenge of Shakhtar Donetsk in the last 16, to keeping out Lionel Messi over 180 minutes.
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