Monday, February 13, 2012

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14.02. (Tue) 20:45 Bayer Leverkusen - Barcelona

Champions League: Bayer Leverkusen - Valencia, Andre Schuerrle
Bongarts

PROBABLE LINEUPS


BAYER LEVERKUSEN


Leno
Corluka, Schwaab, Friedrich, Kadlec
Castro, Reinartz, Rolfes
BenderKiessling, Schurrle
BARCELONA


Valdes
Alves, Pique, Puyol, Abidal
Xavi, Mascherano, IniestaFabregas, Messi, Sanchez

Michael Ballack suffered a calf injury during training on Sunday and will miss Bayer Leverkusen's round of 16 first leg clash with Barcelona on Tuesday. The news comes as a blow to Bayer coach Robin Dutt, who is already without his two top scorers, Eren Derdiyok (foot) and Sidney Sam (thigh).

Defender Danny da Costa should be fit after suffering a knock to his shin during training.

Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets, who has been missing from action with a bruised knee since 4 February, is included in the squad travelling to Germany, and may feature at the BayArena.

Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez and Cesc Fabregas could all start for the Catalan outfit after the trio were left on the bench for Saturday's defeat at Osasuna.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Bayer Leverkusen and Barcelona have met each other six times in European competition, with the Catalan club notching three wins to Bayer's two.
  • Leverkusen, who are sixth in the Bundesliga table, are bidding to reach the last eight of the Champions League for the first time since 2002, when they went on to lose to Real Madrid in the final.
  • The German club's overall home record against Spanish opposition is W5 D3 L4.
  • Barcelona have avoided defeat in their last seven trips to Germany (W4 D3).
  • However, Leverkusen were the last German side to beat the reigning European champions on German soil - a 2-1 win in the 2001-02 Champions League first group stage.
  • With six goals to his name, Lionel Messi (pictured) was joint-top scorer of the Champions League group stages along with Bayern Munich's Mario Gomez.
Prediction
Leverkusen would probably have wanted Barcelona to win at the weekend, as a defeat means they have to contend with the prospect of a backlash from the visitors. The Catalans have some key personnel returning to action and should have too much for their hosts on what looks set to be another freezing night of football in Germany.
Editor's Prediction
Leverkusen 0-2 Barcelona