“There is no such thing as an invincible side and that’s the beauty of football”, said Roma manager Rudi Garcia in a Champions League press conference.
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FC Barcelona host AS Roma in the 5th matchday of the UEFA Champions League group stage few days after their 4-0 triumph in the Clasico.
Mascherano had a session at the gym but he has not entered the training field and joins the injured list with midfielder Rafinha Alcantara and defender Douglas Pereira.
Luis Enrique stopped short of confirming a fit-again Lionel Messi will start against Roma, when a draw for the Spanish and European champions would be enough to secure top spot in the section with a game to spare.
Barca were held to a cagey 1-1 draw by Roma in September’s reverse fixture and Luis Enrique is expecting a concerted challenge from the team he coached in the 2011-12 season.
Messi came off the bench against Madrid in the 56th minute, with his team already up 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Luis Suarez and Neymar have thrived in Messi’s absence, scoring 23 of the team’s 27 goals in all competitions. However, the Catalans could tempt them with a bid of £28.1 million (€40m), which the outlet believes they are ready to spend next summer. Fans must have a ticket or a season pass to enter the stadium grounds, and nobody will be allowed near the venue carrying backpacks, suitcases or large bags.
Enrique is the former Roma boss.
The capital club will head to Spain sitting second in the Group E standings with five points from four games played. They are now three points off table-toppers Inter Milan but face some easier games against Torino and Atalanta before a huge game against Napoli in the first week of December.
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Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez scored twice in Leverkusen’s win.
