Messi back in Barcelona line-up against Roma

BARCELONA: Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets both start for Barcelona in their Champions League quarter-final, first leg against Roma at the Camp Nou on Wednesday.

Messi had been suffering with a hamstring problem while Busquets has not played since breaking his toe against Chelsea in the last 16 three weeks ago.

Barca coach Ernesto Valverde sprung a surprise for the first leg, however, by picking Nelson Semedo at right-back and pushing Sergi Roberto into midfield. Ousmane Dembele and Paulinho were both left on the bench.

For Roma, Radja Nainggolan has lost his battle with a hamstring injury and is not even named as a substitute. Lorenzo Pellegrini is selected in midfield while Alessandro Florenzi comes into a three-man attack.

Starting line-ups for the Champions League quarter-final, first leg between Barcelona and Roma at the Camp Nou on Wednesday (kick-off 1845 GMT):

Barcelona (4-4-2)

Marc-Andre ter Stegen; Nelson Semedo, Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti, Jordi Alba; Sergi Roberto, Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta (capt); Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi

Coach: Ernesto Valverde (ESP)

Roma (4-3-3)

Alisson Becker; Bruno Peres, Federico Fazio, Kostas Manolas, Aleksandar Kolarov; Kevin Strootman, Daniele De Rossi (capt), Lorenzo Pellegrini; Alessandro Florenzi, Edin Dzeko, Diego Perotti

Coach: Eusebio di Francesco (ITA)

Referee: Danny Makkelie (NED)