What: Champions League Round of 16
Who: Bayer Leverkusen vs Barcelona
When: Tuesday 14th February, 2012, at 19:45 UK time
Where: BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany
In Need of a Miracle
With Europe’s blue ribbon club competition getting under way, Bayer Leverkusen have suffered the worst draw possible, being pitted against title holders and Spanish giants FC Barcelona. The 2002 Champions League finalists now have the most important date of their calendar ahead, and will need to play a perfect game in order to hold the slightest chance of toppling the Blaugrana.
Leverkusen go into the game with a number of injuries, most notably to goalkeeper and former Germany number 1 Rene Adler and veteran midfielder Michael Ballack. The loss of the former Chelsea star deprives Leverkusen of a potentially calming influence, but even had Ballack played, the side are well aware of the challenge which lies ahead.
“Barcelona are the clear favourites, but we will try to make things as difficult as possible for them”, said midfielder Gonzalo Castro, before raising expectations ahead of this match. “We might be able to get a good result in the home game, but it will be very difficult at Camp Nou.”
Bye-Bye La Liga
Contrary to expectations, Barcelona suffered their second league defeat of the league campaign in Pamplona against CA Osasuna at the weekend. Josep Guardiola’s side slipped to seven points behind Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid, although Los Blancos’ victory against Levante quickly increased this to ten. It is a mountain that Barcelona are beginning to appreciate might just be impossible to climb.
This was heavily hinted by Guardiola himself after the match, who declared that retaining the league crown is not a priority anymore.
“Win the title? Well, we will try to defend our Champions League crown and then attempt to negotiate each match in La Liga”, said the decorated coach. “We are a significant distance behind. The league will be more difficult for us now.”
Barcelona may be lifted by the news that their last seven trips to Germany have come without a loss, with four wins and three draws, with their latest setback being against their opponents here in 2001. That said, should the Blaugrana’s woeful away form come back to haunt them at the BayArena, then the job will need to be done once and for all in two weeks’ time at the Camp Nou.
Recent form
Bayer Leverkusen:
Werder Bremen 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen (28/01; Bundesliga)
Bayer Leverkusen 2-2 Stuttgart (04/02; Bundesliga)
Borussia Dortmund 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen (11/02; Bundesliga)
Barcelona:
Barcelona 2-1 Real Sociedad (04/02; La Liga)
Barcelona 2-0 Valencia (08/02; Copa del Rey)
Osasuna 3-2 Barcelona (11/02; La Liga)
Key absences
Bayer Leverkusen: Sidney Sam; Eren Derdiyok; Tranquillo Barnetta; Rene Adler; Michael Ballack
Barcelona: Sergio Busquets; Andreu Fontas; David Villa; Seydou Keita; Ibrahim Afellay
Players to watch
Bayer Leverkusen – Bernd Leno: The 19-year-old former Stuttgart keeper has a big job on his hands here. Leno is sure to be peppered with more than a few shots and it appears crucial to Leverkusen’s chances that they are still in the game in the return leg.
Barcelona – Xavi: Lionel Messi might be Barcelona’s talisman, but Xavi is the definite brain of the team. The side have not looked the same without him, particularly against Osasuna where he did not feature alongside Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas. Normal service will be resumed against Bayer Leverkusen.
Match Prediction
With a near full side, Barcelona are expected to storm out of the blocks, showing just why they have opted to rest several players at the weekend. With the league crown out of their reach, winning the Champions League will have to prove a consolation. In Germany, they should come back home with a comfortable 3-0 win.
Who is your money on in this Champions League Round of 16 match between Bayer Leverkusen and Barcelona? Make sure you visit OLBG for tips and to compare the current odds and betting markets available at all the important bookmakers.
