Tuesday, March 6, 2012

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07.03. (Wed) 20:45 Barcelona - Bayer Leverkusen

Champions League: Bayer Leverkusen - Barcelona, Daniel Schwaab, Lionel Messi, Lars Bender
Bongarts

PROBABLE LINEUPS

BARCELONA

Valdes
Alves, Puyol, Mascherano, Adriano
Xavi, Busquets, IniestaFabregas, Messi, Cuenca
BAYER LEVERKUSEN

Leno
Schwaab, Friedrich, Toprak, Kadlec
Reinartz, BenderCastro, Augusto, Schurrle
Kiessling

Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez will sit out Wednesday's Champions League last-16 second-leg clash with Bayer Leverkusen after the Chilean suffered a muscle tear in the weekend win over Sporting Gijon.

Midfielder Thiago is a doubt, having sustained a knock to his shin during training whilst on international duty with Spain, with Eric Abidal (groin) another absentee.

Captain Carles Puyol could be restored to the starting line-up after he was rested on the bench during the weekend. Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets are available for selection again after missing the win over Sporting due to suspension.

Bayer Leverkusen coach Robin Dutt will be without the injured trio of Sidney Sam, Michael Ballack and Tranquillo Barnetta, while defender Vedran Corluka is doubtful to feature.

Swiss striker Eren Derdiyok, who has spent a month on the sidelines with a lacerated foot, could make his first start for the club since January, having played the second half of Saturday's win over Bayern Munich as a substitute.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Barcelona have won their last nine home matches against German opponents since losing 2-1 to Bayern Munich in the 1998-99 Champions League group stage.
  • The Catalans have won more corners (48) and had more shots wide (62) than any other team left in the competition.
  • Barca are on a 49-match unbeaten streak at Camp Nou in all competitions - a run that stretches back to September 2010.
  • Bayer Leverkusen have not won away from home in the Champions League in their last 12 attempts.
  • The German side have conceded 11 goals; more than any other club in the round of 16.
  • B04 are currently on a three-game winning streak in the Bundesliga.
Prediction
This second leg tie has a bit of a dead rubber feel to it, and Guardiola could well opt to give his reserves some game time on Wednesday. Although the visitors come into this on a good run of results, it is hard to see them get a result at Camp Nou.
Editor's Prediction
Barcelona 2-1 Leverkusen