Two disastrous own goals by AS Roma gave Bacelona the edge to thrash the Italian side 4-1 at the Camp Nou on Wednesday and a big boost towards reaching the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in three years.
An own goal from Roma's captain Daniele De Rossi, which break the deadlock in the 38th minute of what had been a delicately hovering first leg and a second own goal 10 minutes into the second half, this time by Roman defender Kostas Manolas, which gave the La Liga leaders' a clear advantage.
Barca defender Gerard Pique put more pressure on the Italians four minutes later, mopping up the rebound after Luis Suarez was thwarted by goalkeeper Alisson before Roma's top scorer Edin Dzeko struck at the right end to give his side faint hope of a turnaround in the second leg.
Suarez effectively notched his side's fourth goal three minutes from time, scoring for the first time in the Champions League in over a year.
Italian forward Lorenzo Pellegrini was also brought down by Samuel Umtiti at the end of the first half, with the referee giving a free kick on the edge of the area rather than the penalty Roma appealed for.
"Of course we made mistakes, but Barca are a good team without receiving help from the referee," Di Francesco said.
The visitors suddenly came alive after Pique’s goal had given them a near-impossible task.
Bacelona will travel to Roma on 10th June 2018 for the second leg tie of the champion league quarter finals.
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