Barcelona are heading back into the Champions League semi-finals and their supporters have one thing very clear – if they are going to face Real Madrid, then let it be over two legs rather than in Kiev on May 26 in the final.

Still inherently pessimistic, despite winning four European Cups in the last 12 years, Barca fans have all had the dark visions of a Ukraine final in which Real Madrid make it a hat-trick of Champions Leagues at their expense.

They don't want to run the risk – much better over two legs, where they believe their quality would tell.

Barcelona look set to reach the Champions League semi-finals but want Real Madrid next

Barcelona fans do not want to meet Madrid in the final for fear of them winning a third in a row

Looking at his tired players on Wednesday night Ernesto Valverde might not agree.

The Barca coach admitted to Sportsmail after the game that there were players in his squad who would benefit from a rest but that 'rotation was not an option' at this stage of the season.

Sergio Busquets came back from a fractured foot and needed pain-killing injections to play the game. He asked to come off just after the hour mark.

Gerard Pique has been troubled by a knee problem and missed training sessions with a virus during international week.

Lionel Messi, who was ineffective by his own stratospheric standards, missed both of Argentina's games during the international break and Ivan Rakitic played both of his with Croatia but had to travel to Miami and Mexico to do so.

Despite the air miles Rakitic was Barcelona's best player as they got past Roma. And Pique was probably their second best. But these players – unlike those of Real Madrid, who in terms of the league have arguably taken the whole season off – need a break.

Valverde added: 'It's true that there are a lot of significant games now (hence the difficulty of resting players) but that's a good thing because it means we are still in all competitions. We would not want it any other way.'

His priority has been the league all season and with Atletico Madrid still not quite killed off there is still the need to keep on going all out to win the title.

A busy season has left Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi, Ivan Rakitic and Gerard Pique needing a rest

'We want to win it as quickly as possible,' he said at the start of the year. It seemed an over obvious comment but his point was perhaps that as soon as the first trophy is in the cabinet he would be able to rest players.

Barcelona remain the only team in Europe yet to lose in the league this season because of the magnificent season five or six of their most important players have had.

Pique, Jordi Alba, Busquets, Rakitic, Luis Suarez and Messi have all been immense but they have had to be week-in, week-out as squad players have not offered a great deal in reserve.

Philippe Coutinho can't be called on in the Champions League and although Ousmane Dembele can he was left on the bench on Wednesday night suggesting Valverde still believes he can't be entirely trusted in big games.

Squad players have not eased pressure on the big name stars in the side so far this season

He was fine for getting behind Chelsea's back three but against Aleksandar Kolarov and Bruno Peres, the coach had less faith.

Other squad players such as Aleix Vidal, Denis Suarez, Andre Gomes and Paco Alcacer have done little more this season than confirm that they will probably need to find new homes in the summer.

Barcelona's fixture calendar is not about to get any easier. Leganes at home on Saturday ought not to be too demanding but then they have to go to Rome next week, then it's Valencia and Celta Vigo in four days and the Spanish Cup final on April 21.

There is a Clasico at the Nou Camp at the start of May. Do the supporters really want two more Clasicos in the weeks leading up to the league fixture? They say they do if it means not playing Real Madrid in the final.

Barcelona are looking to wrap up a La Liga title win to concentrate on the Champions League

The Catalans believe their quality would show best against Madrid over two semi-final legs

Valverde might take a look at the calendar and opt for a different scenario.

Once the cup final is out of the way and the league is won he can pamper Messi, Busquets, Suarez, Raktic, Pique and Alba so they are back to their best for the Olympic Stadium in Ukraine.

It's hard to win the league and the Champions League. Pep Guardiola did it twice in Barcelona but since 2011 he's not come close.

Roma were brushed aside on Wednesday. 'Own goal' is now sat just one goal below Messi in Barca Champions League scoring chart (5 and 6) but it doesn't matter how they go in.

They keep going in and Barcelona keep winning. They are just not on the same part of the performance curve as certain other teams left in the competition.