Preview: Barcelona Women vs. Roma Women - prediction, team news, lineups

The Catalan giants are aiming to reach the semi-finals for the fifth consecutive season, while the visitors are hoping to progress to the last four in their first European campaign.

Match preview

Barcelona dominated the majority of the first half at the Stadio Olimpico, and they subsequently took a deserved lead into the break thanks to Salma Paralluelo's low strike from the edge of the box.

Their Italian hosts grew in confidence in the second half, going close to finding an equaliser on a number of occasions, but Barcelona held firm with a combination of resolute defending and fine goalkeeping from Sandra Panos.

Jonatan Giraldez's side had little time to dwell on their crucial first leg win, as they quickly turned their attention to Saturday's Clasico, which was decided by Fridolina Rolfo's penalty.

The 1-0 victory over rivals Real Madrid maintained Barcelona's 100% record in Liga F this season, moving them 13 points clear at the top of the table.

Having won their three home Champions League games this season by a combined 18-0 scoreline, Barcelona will be confident that they have the required firepower to sweep past Roma and set up a semi-final against either Chelsea or Lyon.

While Roma fought valiantly off the pitch last week, they also made history off it, as 39,454 packed into the Stadio Olimpico.

The record-breaking attendance represented the largest crowd to watch a women's football match in Italy, and the majority of those in attendance would have been proud of their team's effort against a Barcelona side that are among the favourites to win the Champions League.

Alessandro Spugna's side were not in action at the weekend, giving them a week to prepare for Wednesday's second leg, and the extra rest could be useful, with the Italian side expected to spend the majority of the game without the ball.

Roma will already be proud of their European campaign after becoming the 55th different club to reach the Women's Champions League quarter-finals, but they know that they have their work cut out if they want to become the first Women's team since A.S.D. Bardolino Verona C.F. in 2008 to reach a European semi-final.

The visitors can at least take confidence from the fact that they have won seven of their last nine away matches in all competitions.

Barcelona Women Women's Champions League form:

W

W

L

W

W

W

Barcelona Women form (all competitions):

Roma Women Women's Champions League form:

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D

L

W

W

L

Roma Women form (all competitions):

Team News

Barcelona are unable to call upon the services of Mariona Caldentey and Claudia Pina, who are struggling with hamstring and ankle injuries.

Alexia Putellas stepped up her recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury by returning to team training on Monday, but she still remains unavailable for selection.

After rotating his side for Saturday's Clasico, Giraldez will recall Irene Paredes, Kiera Walsh, Caroline Graham Hansen and Asisat Oshoala to the starting lineup.

As for the visitors, Sophie Roman Haug remains sidelined after undergoing ankle surgery earlier this month.

Benedetta Glionna made a positive impact when she came off the bench in the first leg, and she could be presented with a starting opportunity on Wednesday.

Having scored five goals in the Champions League main draw this season, Valentina Giacinti will be crucial to Roma's efforts.

Barcelona Women possible starting lineup:

Panos; Bronze, Paredes, Leon, Rolfo; Bonmati, Walsh, Guijarro; Graham Hansen, Paralluelo, Geyse

Roma Women possible starting lineup:

Caesar; Bartoli, Wenninger, Linari, Minami; Glionna, Giugliano, Greggi, Haavi; Andressa, Giacinti

We say: Barcelona Women 3-0 Roma Women

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