AS Roma vs. Barcelona: Lineups
There are no surprises in the lineups for Barcelona’s Champions League opener away at AS Roma.
Roma's Rudi García has named a rather inexperienced defence, with summer signings Lucas Digne and Antonio Rüdiger partnering Kostas Manolas and Alessandro Florenzi in the back four. Fortunately their midfield trio is rather more battle-hardened, with Seydou Keita and Daniele De Rossi playing alongside Radja Nainggolan. Pacey wingers Iago Falqué and Mo Salah flank Edin Džeko, and they'll have to be consistent outlets on the counter attack.
Barca coach Luis Enrique -- who returns to face his former club -- has made his biggest call in starting Jérémy Mathieu over Javier Mascherano in the centre of defence. Sergi Roberto continues as a makeshift right back, though the Catalans are otherwise as expected.
AS Roma starting lineup (4-3-3): Wojciech Szczęsny; Lucas Digne, Kostas Manolas, Antonio Rüdiger, Alessandro Florenzi; Seydou Keita, Daniele De Rossi, Radja Nainggolan; Iago Falqué, Edin Džeko, Mohamed Salah.
Barcelona starting lineup (4-3-3): Marc-André ter Stegen; Jordi Alba, Jérémy Mathieu, Gerard Piqué, Sergi Roberto; Andrés Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitić; Neymar, Luis Suárez, Lionel Messi.
