Roma vs. Barcelona: Score and Reaction from 2015 Champions League

Barcelona may have dominated the play in Wednesday's Champions League matchup against Roma, but Alessandro Florenzi stole the show.

The Roma defender shocked Barcelona with a brilliant goal from just inside the halfway line in the first half, beating an out-of-position Marc-Andre ter Stegen and evening the game after Luis Suarez's first-half goal. That would prove to be the game's final tally, as the sides drew even in an entertaining display, 1-1.

Barcelona mostly bossed the proceedings, holding 75 percent of possession, outshooting Roma 14-8 (though Roma held the advantage in shots on goal, 3-2) and earning seven corners to just one for their Italian opponents.

Roma's resolute performance was a major step for the club, per Paolo Bandini of the Guardian:

Sam Tighe of Bleacher Report was impressed with several Roma players, meanwhile:

Barca opened the scoring in the 21st minute off a lovely bit of buildup play that ultimately saw a ball chipped over the top of Roma's defense to Ivan Rakitic on the right side of the box. He spotted Suarez on the other post and hit a cross that deflected off a foot on the way and found Suarez, who adjusted to the ball and headed home the game's first goal.

Fox Soccer on Twitter shared the goal:

Roma seemed to protest both that Suarez was offside—he clearly wasn't—and that Lionel Messi fouled one of Roma's defenders in the buildup to the play, but the referee didn't agree on either account and the goal stood.

And given that Barcelona is 20-0-0 in official matches when Suarez scores a goal, per ESPN Stats & Information, it seemed that the Catalans were on their way to another victory.

The Italian side would answer with an absolute golazo, however.

With Roma looking to strike on the counter, Alessandro Florenzi spotted Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen off his line and let rip from nearly 65 yards away down the right flank, hitting the post before the ball spun into the side netting. 

It was a breathtaking effort, as Michael Cox of ESPN FC noted:

Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC noted that Ter Stegen being beaten on longer efforts is becoming a trend, however:

Ter Stegen would make up for it late in the first half, however, stopping a Radja Nainggolan screamer from outside of the box with a diving save.

For the majority of the first 45 minutes Barca absolutely dominated, controlling 75 percent of possession. But the two teams were even on the scoresheet heading into the second half.

That theme generally persisted in the second half, with Barca holding the ball and Roma looking to break on the counter. Both sides were able to create chances in that fashion, though neither side was able to find the decisive moment to break through and notch the game-winning goal.

Barcelona were dealt a potential long-term blow in the 64th minute, however, as second-half substitute Rafinha—who had replaced Rakitic just four minutes earlier—was fouled by Nainggolan and had to be taken off the pitch in a stretcher. 

Gregorio Borgia/Associated Press

The young Brazilian had been a vital piece of Barca's attacking depth, so any long-term injury to the winger would be a tough break for the Catalans. 

Post-Match Reaction

After the contest, Barca manager Jose Enrique was disappointed with the final outcome, per Barcelona's official Twitter account:

The players weren't thrilled, either.

"We did everything to try and win it but we did not have any luck, it just did not go our way," Suarez said after the match, per AS English on Twitter, adding that Roma played, "Typical Italian football, lots of people behind the ball."

As for the fate of Rafinha, Enrique simply said his injury was "Ugly. Very ugly."

Meanwhile, Roma's hero on the day, Florenzi, spoke about his wonder goal with Mediaset Premium via Football Italia.

"

The goal was important because it brought Roma a point. It was a great goal, in all honesty I think my face was clear afterwards. It’s not something that happens to you every day. Watching it back on video, I am getting emotional.

I saw Edin (Dzeko), who didn’t want it, and I thought I’d give it a go. At worst it’d be a goal kick and we’d start all over again. We climbed Everest and stopped the strongest team in the world. We fought it out until the end, remaining united towards one sole objective and I think we played well when possible.

"

They certainly did.

Roma will next face BATE Borisov in Champions League play on September 29, while Barca will face another tough challenge against German side Bayer Leverkusen that same day. The point will certainly be more valuable for Roma, who were expected to battle with Leverkusen to finish in second place in this group behind the Catalan giants.