Evening all! Sports Mole's live coverage of the group stages of the Champions League continues from Rome as Roma welcome the holders Barcelona. The visitors are attempting to become the first team in the modern era to successfully defend the Champions League, but they will face a tough test in their Group E opener tonight against a strong Roma side. We are all set for a fascinating night of football!

Now Barcelona boss Luis Enrique was in the Spanish side's XI the last time that these two teams met in the Champions League. That occurred in the second group stage of the 2001-02 campaign – the points were shared in a 1-1 draw in Barcelona, before Roma won 3-0 on their own patch. Barca still won the group that particular season, however, with Roma eliminated in third position.

Right, without further ado, let me bring you the confirmed team news from Rome...

There is no place in the Roma team for Francisco Totti here, with on-loan Manchester City forward Edin Dzeko leading the line. Chelsea's on-loan attacker Mohamed Salah is also selected, while it appears that Rudi Garcia has opted for a three-man midfield, which includes skipper Daniele de Rossi. In total, there are five loanees in the XI, with Antonio Rudiger, Wojciech Szczesny and Lucas Digne also selected.

As for Barcelona, tonight will be a special evening for a certain Lionel Messi, who is set for his 100th Champions League appearance for the Catalan outfit. There is a surprise at centre-back, however, with Jeremy Mathieu selected ahead of Javier Mascherano. Gerard Pique also starts despite currently serving a domestic suspension, while Sergi Roberto continues to fill in for the injured Dani Alves at right-back. Luis Suarez and Neymar, as expected, will join Messi, who has 77 goals in this competition, in the final third.

Roma's runners-up spot in Serie A last season automatically secured their spot in the group stages of the Champions League for the second successive season. Last term, they failed to make it through a section that also included Manchester City and Bayern Munich, with City's 2-0 win in Rome on matchday six ensuring that the Premier League side qualified in second at Roma's expense.

The Italians were therefore transferred into the Europa League and made it into the round of 16 with a 3-2 aggregate win over Dutch outfit Feyenoord. That was as far as they went in the competition, however, with fellow Italian side Fiorentina winning their last-eight clash 4-1 on aggregate. Not since the 2007-08 season have Roma made it to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, but they will fancy their chances of making it through this particular group along with Barcelona.

That said, Roma lost three of their five home fixtures in Europe last term, including a 7-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League and a 3-0 loss to Fiorentina in the Europa League. However, the Serie A side recorded 2-1 home and away wins the last time that they faced Spanish opposition in Europe. That occurred in the 2007-08 Champions League, with Real Madrid the opposition.

Roma's home record against La Liga opposition is fairly mixed – winning six of their 11 matches and losing five. As touched upon, Barcelona will enter as the strong favourites to top this particular group, but Bayer Leverkusen and BATE Borisov are the underdogs to finish second.

The new Serie A season is just three games old and it has been a strong start from Roma, who sit fourth having collected seven points thus far. Rudi Garcia's side opened with a 1-1 draw away to Hellas Verona, but have since beaten the champions Juventus and Frosinone to make it an unbeaten start. Juventus' poor start to the campaign will have handed Roma hope of a first Italian title since 2001.

As for Barcelona, they have made a perfect start to their La Liga title defence, with three wins from three leaving them top on nine points. They won 1-0 away to Athletic Bilbao on August 23, before beating Malaga by the same scoreline one week later. Their most impressive result of the campaign occurred at the weekend, however, as they came from behind to record all three points against Atletico Madrid.

As mentioned, Barca are attempting to become the first team in the modern era to successfully defend the Champions League. The last team to win back-to-back European Cups was AC Milan, who achieved that feat in the 1988-89, 1989-90 seasons. Incredibly, four of Barcelona's five titles in this competition have arrived in the last 10 seasons. It would be some achievement to win it once again!

Barcelona have also reached at least the semi-finals of the Champions League in seven of the last eight campaigns. The only exception occurred in the 2013-14 campaign, when they were knocked out in the quarters by Atletico Madrid, who also beat Barca to the La Liga title that season. The Catalan outfit won all three major trophies last term, however, and will be looking for another successful campaign.

Barcelona have also won 10 of their last 11 Champions League matches, including four of their six on the road. That said, the Spanish side have only won one of their just six European matches in Italy – beating AC Milan 3-2 in the 2011-12 group stages. Their overall away form against Serie A opposition is won six, drawn eight and lost six. The atmosphere is really building ahead of kickoff in Rome!

Roma, meanwhile, have not kept a clean sheet in their last 14 Champions League matches. What's more, head coach Rudi Garcia has only won three of his 18 Champions League games as manager – losing 10 times in the process. For such a well-established team, Roma have not made a serious impression in the European Cup since the 1983-84 season, when they finished as runners-up after losing on penalties to Liverpool in the final. It will be fascinating to see how Roma deal with Barcelona's front three tonight.

"I can see Roma scoring tonight, but I see Barcelona scoring more. Barcelona do not have a great back four and they are vulnerable on set plays," Former Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp has just told BT Sport when questioned on tonight's match. We shall see Harry, we shall see.

PREDICTION! Like Mr Redknapp, I can see Roma scoring tonight, but I think that Barcelona have enough about them to pick up all three points. I am expecting Barcelona to dominate the possession and Roma will have to make use of the chances they create. For me, 2-1 Barcelona.

Here we go then - both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff in Rome. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium. Let us hope for a cracking game!

KICK OFF! Around 60,000 are expected inside the Stadio Olimpico tonight and only around 500 are here to support Barcelona. Right - the hosts get the first 45 minutes underway here...

... as expected, Roma have attempted to make a fast start with an early ball up to Dzeko, but Pique is on hand to clear the danger. The early moments in Rome will be fast paced, that is for sure.

De Rossi might now only be one foul away from a card following a late lunge on Suarez!

It will not come as surprise to learn that Barcelona have started to take control of the possession here, with Messi at the heart of two moves in a forward area. The Argentine just fails to find Iniesta, but Szczesny is out to collect the second through ball. Good tempo to the game here.

First shooting chance for Messi as the Argentine drives towards the edge of the box before releasing a strike, but his effort was always moving over the crossbar. Good Barcelona pressure.

Salah leads a breakaway for Roma - their first of the night - but the on-loan Chelsea winger runs into traffic and eventually commits a foul. It was a sloppy pass from Rakitic that led to the run.

Salah's pace is causing Barcelona problems at the moment as the on-loan Chelsea winger drives past Alba, but the left-back manages to get back and make the challenge. The resulting corner is delivered towards the centre of the box, but Pique is on hand to clear. End-to-end football here.

Roma continue to cause problems as Dzeko drives forward in acres of space, but the striker cannot find Salah, who had all sorts of room inside the box. Sloppy from Barcelona once again there!

Suarez heads an Alba cross wide of the post as the play continues to flow from end-to-end.

Messi once again has a shooting chance for the visitors after a super cross from Iniesta, but the Argentine fires high over the crossbar. Plenty happening with 12 minutes on the clock in Rome.

The match has just settled down in the last couple of minutes, with both teams enjoying good spells of possession. Barcelona's main threat is coming from Messi, but Roma are also causing plenty of problems in the final third with Salah's pace and Dzeko's presence. Still goalless here.

Roma have been a little untidy in possession of the ball in the last couple of minutes, which is allowing Barcelona to squeeze forward and flood the midfield. The visitors continue to probe.

Neymar combines with Messi just inside the Roma box, but De Rossi is on hand to make a super last-ditch challenge just when Messi was about to pull the trigger. Barcelona are looking the most likely to open the scoring at the moment, with Messi, as expected, at the heart of their challenge.

De Rossi is having a fine game for Roma at the moment, with the skipper making challenge after challenge. Suarez manages to find space inside the Roma box, but Rudiger is on hand to clear. Barcelona are very much in control of the possession, but are still waiting for a clear opportunity.

Barcelona take the lead in the 21st minute as Rakitic finds space inside the Roma box before crossing for Suarez, who heads home from close range. Roma called for a foul in the build-up, but the referee was not interested and Suarez was never going to miss from that close. Deadlock broken!

Roma are claiming that Digne was fouled by Messi, but it would have been a soft decision. The home side then wanted an offside for Rakitic, but both decisions looked correct for me.

Barcelona are really in control of matters at the moment as they continue to pass and probe in the final third. Roma simply cannot afford to concede a second goal at this stage of the contest.

PENALTY SHOUT! Barcelona want a penalty as Suarez goes down inside the box under a challenge from Szczesny, but the referee is not interested. Should have been a spot kick for me!

Roma need to be careful that they do not lose their heads here as handbags occur in the box with Suarez and Szczesny, who clashed in that penalty shout. Barcelona are in control of this game.

Roma manage to break down the right with Falque, who delivers a deep cross towards Dzeko, but it is good goalkeeping from Ter Stegen, who comes to claim before releasing Roberto.

Oh my word! Florenzi has just scored a quite sensational goal for Roma! The right-back seemed to be heading nowhere fast down the right, but somehow found the back of the net from just inside the Barcelona half. Ter Stegen could only watch the ball fly over his head - quite sensational!

Roma have not really threatened Ter Stegen in this first period, but they are now level courtesy of one of the best goals that you will see this season. We are square with 34 minutes played.

Messi again goes close for Barcelona after finding space outside the box, but his drilled effort was always moving over the crossbar. We have a cracking game on our hands in Rome this evening.

The referee has not yet produced a yellow card in this match, but we must be getting close as the late challenges continue to arrive. Barcelona have a free kick in an advanced area here...

... Messi tries his luck, but the Argentine's effort was always moving high of the crossbar.

Messi has been excellent in this first period and the Argentine again shows his class by dancing past two challenges and trying his luck on goal, but the Roma stopper is on hand to make the save. Barcelona have had eight attempts up until this point, but the scoreboard says 1-1 in Rome.

Falque is doing his best to occupy the Barcelona defence at the moment, but Pique, despite his lack of pace, has been strong positionally in this first period. Roma have certainly gained confidence from their equaliser, but they are still finding it difficult to really trouble Barcelona in their half.

SAVE! Cracking stop from Ter Stegen as the Barcelona goalkeeper keeps out a long-range effort from Nainggolan. The pressure continues as Roma deliver two balls into the box, but eventually the referee blows for a free kick in Barcelona's favour. This is more like it from the home side!

Another half-chance for the home side as Salah shows sensational pace to run away from the Barcelona defence, but his final effort was always high of the crossbar. Stunning speed there!

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 1-1. Barcelona opened the scoring in the 21st minute through Suarez, who headed home from close range. However, a quite stunning long-range Florenzi effort has left us all square in Rome tonight.

STATS! Barcelona have utterly dominated the possession with 72%, but they have only hit the target with two of their eight attempts. Roma, meanwhile, have hit the target twice - the Florenzi goal and a long-range Nainggolan effort, which brought a fine save from Ter Stegen. There have been no yellow cards thus far, however, despite a number of spicy challenges from both teams.

BENCH WATCH! Roma boss Garcia has plenty of forward options on his bench this evening, with the likes of Iturbe, Gervinho and Totti all capable of making an impact. Barcelona, meanwhile, have young forwards Munir El-Haddadi and Sandro Ramirez in reserve alongside the likes of Rafinha.

RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the field for the second 45 minutes. More of the same please, it has been a super game. Barca resume the action in Rome...

... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will already gave alterations in mind. Will we have a winner tonight?

SAVE! Once again Messi bursts into life for Barcelona as he drives towards the box before unleashing a powerful strike, but Szczesny is on hand to make a smart save. The Catalan outfit have another chance moments later, but Suarez cannot convert Alba's volleyed cross.

Szczesny is down for Roma here and might not be able to continue...

... ROMA SUB! Indeed Roma are forced into a change of goalkeeper as De Sanctis takes the place of Szczesny, who decided pretty quickly that he would not be able to continue tonight.

We are back underway and Roma are lucky that they have a very experienced goalkeeper, indeed an Italian international, in reserve this evening. Barcelona remain in control of the possession here.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but Barcelona are absolutely dominating the ball, which was the case for long spells of the first period. Roma's goal came from nowhere to be honest and they have not really built on the Florenzi strike thus far.

Half-chance for Barcelona as Neymar drives down the left before attempting to deliver a cross, but Florenzi manages to clear for a corner. The resulting set piece is taken short, but Roma have men behind the ball and manage to deal with the danger. Still 1-1 with 55 minutes on the clock.

Barcelona continue to pass and probe in the final third, but Roma are doing a good job of getting men behind the ball and forcing the Catalan outfit into wide areas. Can Roma nick one here?

Barcelona are preparing to make a change here, with Rafinha stripped and ready. Totti, on the other side, is limbering up for Roma. The match needs an injection of something here.

BARCELONA SUB! Rafinha replaces the ineffective Rakitic.

BOOKING! Nainggolan (Roma) is booked for a late challenge on Rafinha.

Rafinha has only just come on, but might have to be replaced following that Nainggolan tackle!

BARCELONA SUB! Javier Mascherano replaces the injured Rafinha.

This second period has not really got going in terms of chances, with the stop-start nature harming the tempo. Barcelona remain in control, however, as they boss the possession here.

Florenzi continues to impress for Roma as the right-back makes good ground in a wide position before delivering, but Mathieu is on hand to make the challenge. Little over 20 minutes to play.

Still no movement on the Roma bench, but Garcia does have plenty of forward options in reserve. The last five minutes have been Roma's best of this second period, as a sustained period of possession forces Barcelona to retreat. You sense that there is another goal in this game here.

Little over 15 minutes of football remaining and in truth, not too much is happening at the moment in terms of opportunities. Messi remains the biggest threat for Barcelona, but De Rossi has been excellent covering his back four tonight. The crowd whistle as Barcelona keep the ball here.

BOOKING! Pique (Barcelona) is booked for pulling Dzeko.

Roma are defending for their lives at the moment and the home supporters are very pleased with their team's efforts. Barcelona keep coming back, however, which is suffering the defence.

CHANCE! Florenzi cuts inside his full-back before releasing one towards the top corner, but this time, his effort flies over the crossbar. Not as good as his first one!

CHANCE! It is super work from Neymar as the Brazilian turns inside a crowded box before trying his luck, but Nainggolan is on hand to make an excellent block. I thought that was it there!

CROSSBAR! Messi hits the woodwork from a wide angle after lifting one towards the top corner. It was such an inventive effort from the Argentine, but the crossbar saves Roma here!

All happening now as Falque fires over the crossbar following a swift Roma counter attack.

You just sense that there is another goal in this match as Barcelona once again enjoy a sustained period of possession outside the Roma box. Little under 10 minutes of football remaining.

SAVE! Super save from De Sanctis as the Italian denies Iniesta from close range!

ROMA SUB! Iturbe replaces Falque in Roma's second change.

Barcelona have had more than 70% of the possession up until this point, which is quite stunning in a Champions League game, especially away from home and especially at Roma. Another long pass is delivered towards Alba, but his low cross is saved by De Sanctis. Still 1-1 in this Group E match.

ROMA SUB! Florenzi is replaced by Torosidis for the hosts.

In truth, a draw would not be the worst result for either team this evening, but Barcelona are the side looking to push on for a winner. We have entered the final five minutes of action here.

Ter Stegan makes a comfortable save to deny Dzeko from outside the box.

Time is running out if we are to see a winner in this match as Torosidis comes across to challenge Suarez and clear the danger once again. Injury time will be interesting, that is for sure.

We are into the first of five added here - five!

There have been a few injuries in this second period, which makes the added time not very surprising. Roma have possession in the Barcelona half as this game draws to a close here.

Half-chance for Barcelona as Iniesta delivers a sensational cross towards the far post, but Nainggolan is up challenging Pique and just does enough to make the defender head over.

CHANCE! Alba meets a deep cross from Messi, but the left-back cannot lift his effort past De Sanctis and Nainggolan is on hand to clear for good measure. What an opportunity there!

So there we have it. Roma come from behind to secure a point against Barcelona in their Champions League Group E opener. It was a cracking game in Rome and the hosts will be delighted with a share of the spoils. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!