Roma 1-1 Barcelona: Alessandro Florenzi cancels out Luis Suarez's opener with long-range screamer as holders are held

  • Luis Suarez opened the scoring with a close-range header after being picked out at the back post by Ivan Rakitic
  • Roma's Alessandro Florenzi levelled the scoreline with a long-range lobbed effort past Marc-Andre ter Stegen
  • Lionel Messi was making his 100th Champions League appearance for Barcelona on Wednesday night  
  • Barcelona are bidding to become the first team to win the Champions League in consecutive years  

Alessandro Florenzi scored an incredible goal from more than 60 yards as Roma held defending champions Barcelona to a 1-1 draw in Group E of the Champions League.

There was also some questionable conduct from Luis Suarez in an entertaining match at the Stadio Olimpico.

After an opening goal from Suarez, Florenzi's equaliser came just after the half-hour mark. 

Roma midfielder Alessandro Florenzi stretches his arms out wide as he celebrates his superb 31st-minute equaliser against Barcelona

Roma midfielder Alessandro Florenzi stretches his arms out wide as he celebrates his superb 31st-minute equaliser against Barcelona

Florenzi (right) looks shocked after beating Barcelona keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen from long range, while Daniele De Rossi celebrates

Florenzi (right) looks shocked after beating Barcelona keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen from long range, while Daniele De Rossi celebrates

Florenzi makes a heart sign with hands while celebrating his Champions League goal against Barcelona at the Stadio Olimpico

Florenzi makes a heart sign with hands while celebrating his Champions League goal against Barcelona at the Stadio Olimpico

MATCH FACTS

ROMA (4-3-3): Szczesny (De Sanctis 50mins); Florenzi (Torosidis 85), Manolas, Rudiger, Digne; De Rossi, Keita, Nainggolan; Salah, Dzeko, Falque (Iturbe 82)

Subs not used: Totti, Maicon, Vainqueur, Gervinho

Goal: Florenzi 31 

Booked: Nainggolan  

BARCELONA (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Mathieu, Alba; Rakitic (Rafinha 62, Mascherano 65), Busquets, Iniesta; Neymar, Suarez, Messi

Subs not used: Bartra, Munir, Sandro, Adriano, Masip

Goal: Suarez 21 

Booked: Pique 

Referee: Bjorn Kuipers (Holland) 

Attendance: 57,836 

Two strides after dribbling past the centre line on the right flank, Florenzi saw goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen far out of his goal and launched a shot over the German's head that went in off the post.

Suarez, who gained notoriety for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini at last year's World Cup, later appeared to kick Roma goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny in the chest after being denied by the Poland international.

It's not the first time Ter Stegen has conceded a goal while out of position this season.

It also happened in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup against Athletic Bilbao, when Mikel San Jose lobbed Ter Stegen's long clearance back over the goalkeeper's head with a shot from inside the centre circle.

In the other Group E match, Bayer Leverkusen beat BATE Borisov 4-1.

Barcelona won four of six away games in last season's competition, going on to beat Juventus in the final. But defeating Italian clubs on the road has been a different story.

Barcelona has won just one of their last seven matches in Italy - 3-2 at AC Milan in the 2011-12 group stage. Their overall record from 20 away matches against Serie A sides is six wins, eight draws and six losses.

Roma, meanwhile, appeared to be vastly improved from last season when they were beaten 7-1 at home by Bayern Munich. The Giallorossi already beat four-time defending champion Juventus 2-1 in Serie A. With an impressive array of new players in Edin Dzeko, Iago Falque, Mohamed Salah and Szczesny, Rudi Garcia's club now looks for real in Europe, too.

Still, it was a nervous start for Roma as Messi made his presence known immediately with a warning shot four minutes in that went a whisker over the bar.

Roma showed composure as Dzeko evaded two defenders near midfield and dribbled all the way into Barca's area before coughing the ball up directly to a defender.

Roma midfielder Florenzi goes on a marauding run down the right-hand side before unleashing a surprise shot from long range

Roma midfielder Florenzi goes on a marauding run down the right-hand side before unleashing a surprise shot from long range

His shot, which took Ter Stegen by surprise, was measured at 60 yards and was travelling at 52 miles per hour before hitting the net

His shot, which took Ter Stegen by surprise, was measured at 60 yards and was travelling at 52 miles per hour before hitting the net

Barcelona keeper Ter Stegen can only stand and stare as he fails to get anywhere near Florenzi's ambitious effort from 60 yards out 

Barcelona keeper Ter Stegen can only stand and stare as he fails to get anywhere near Florenzi's ambitious effort from 60 yards out 

Messi reacts to Florenzi's screamer, while the Italian utility man looks calm, cool and collected after scoring in the 31st minute

Messi reacts to Florenzi's screamer, while the Italian utility man looks calm, cool and collected after scoring in the 31st minute

Germany international Ter Stegen looks at the ball as it flies over him and lands in the back of his net at the Stadio Olimpico 

Germany international Ter Stegen looks at the ball as it flies over him and lands in the back of his net at the Stadio Olimpico 

Suarez may have had a case for a penalty when Szczesny made contact with the centre forward in the 24th minute, but the referee ruled to play on.

With the sold out crowd coming to life after Florenzi's goal, Roma was more energised and just before half-time Salah raced on to a long ball and beat two defenders, but shot off mark.

Messi, Suarez and Neymar each produced chances for Barcelona in the second half, and an inspired Florenzi missed a good opportunity in the 76th.

Messi's shot off the bar came two minutes later, with an expert volley after the ball bounced off the thigh of defender Antonio Rudiger.

De Sanctis did the rest, saving a dangerous effort from Sergi Roberto in added time, seconds after Kostas Manolas headed away danger.

Enrique criticised Radja Nainggolan after the match following what he described as an 'ugly injury' to Rafinha. 

The Brazilian midfielder was forced off within just three minutes of replacing Rakitic after a poor challenge by Nainggolan. 

Rafinha had to be wheeled off on a medical buggy after his cameo appearance came to an abrupt end.

Barcelona striker Luis Suarez had opened the lead for the current Champions League holders before Florenzi's impressive effort

Barcelona striker Luis Suarez had opened the lead for the current Champions League holders before Florenzi's impressive effort

Suarez headed the ball into Wojciech Szczesny's net after getting on to the end of a cross by Barcelona team-mate Ivan Rakitic 

Suarez headed the ball into Wojciech Szczesny's net after getting on to the end of a cross by Barcelona team-mate Ivan Rakitic 

The former Liverpool striker focuses his attention on the ball as he heads home from close range following a fine cross by Rakitic

The former Liverpool striker focuses his attention on the ball as he heads home from close range following a fine cross by Rakitic

Barcelona superstar Messi was one of the first players to congratulate Suarez after his goal against the Italian outfit

Barcelona superstar Messi was one of the first players to congratulate Suarez after his goal against the Italian outfit

Arsenal loanee Szczesny walks off the pitch after sustaining an injury, Italian goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis took his place

Arsenal loanee Szczesny walks off the pitch after sustaining an injury, Italian goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis took his place

Substitute Rafinha had to be wheeled off on a medical buggy as he was unable to carry on after a poor challenge by Radja Nainggolan

Substitute Rafinha had to be wheeled off on a medical buggy as he was unable to carry on after a poor challenge by Radja Nainggolan

Rafinha appeared to be in a significant amount of pain after Nainggolan's crunching challenge ended his night at the Stadio Olimpico 

Rafinha appeared to be in a significant amount of pain after Nainggolan's crunching challenge ended his night at the Stadio Olimpico 

Belgium international Nainggolan, who was cautioned, appeared to go through the back of Rafinha despite claiming he got the ball 

Belgium international Nainggolan, who was cautioned, appeared to go through the back of Rafinha despite claiming he got the ball 

Suarez opened the scoring after a typical tiki-taka move by his Barcelona team-mates - click HERE for more of our brilliant Match Zone

Suarez opened the scoring after a typical tiki-taka move by his Barcelona team-mates - click HERE for more of our brilliant Match Zone

Barcelona and Roma are in second and third spot respectively after Group E rivals Bayer Leverkusen beat BATE Borisov 4-1

Barcelona and Roma are in second and third spot respectively after Group E rivals Bayer Leverkusen beat BATE Borisov 4-1

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