Bayer Leverkusen vs Barcelona: UEFA Champions League Last 16 Preview

Published February 13, 2012 | By Rolly

Bayer Leverkusen will be hoping to get a positive result when they host Barcelona at the BayArena in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Last 16 knockout stages

Having emerged from a tough group consisting of Chelsea and Valencia, you could almost hear the groans of frustrations in the Leverkusen camp when they were drawn the shortest straw in history and paired with none other than Barcelona in the last 16.

Groans, moans, whines and sighs – call it whatever you please but the UEFA Champions League holders was the number one team the German giants did not want.

More so now going into Tuesday night’s first leg at the BayArena as Pep Guardiola’s men come into the match wounded, hurt and angry.

Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Osasuna left the Spanish outfit a mighty 10 points behind Real Madrid with their grip on the La Liga crown all but loosened and the media criticism relentless. Surprising that because on the continent at least, the Catalans have been imperious and will be hoping (and expected) to extend their dominance over German opposition in recent seasons.

For Robin Dutt’s side the feeling before the match is one of hope as opposed to certainty. Avoiding defeat will be great and a win of any kind will be the stuff of dreams.

All of this will have to be accomplished without the talismatic and experienced Michael Ballack in central midfield who misses the match with a calf injury along with the Werkself’s top scorers, Eren Derdiyok (foot) and Sidney Sam (thigh).

The German club’s overall home record against Spanish opposition is W5 D3 L4 although Barca are unbeaten in their last 7 visits to Germany and coach Pep Guardiola will be hoping that that the La Liga disappointment will at least fire them on in Europe.

Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 1-2 Barcelona. Barca seem to be leaking goals of late even with captain Carles Puyol at the helm of defence, but their attacking impetus and play will prove decisive as they blast past Leverkusen.

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