Bayer Leverkusen vs Genk preview - Win means everything for Leverkusen - Kadlec

Posted Wednesday, September 28, 2011 by PA

Bayer Leverkusen left-back Michal Kadlec believes Wednesday's Champions League clash with Genk could prove to be a turning point in the German club's season.

Leverkusen have lost their last two Bundesliga matches to leave Robin Dutt's record since taking over from Jupp Heynckes in the summer reading three wins, one draw and five defeats.

With the pressure mounting on Dutt, Kadlec has underlined the importance of winning at the BayArena.

"If we win it, then the world will look totally different to us," he said.

"After the Chelsea game (2-0 defeat in Group E opener two weeks ago), we want to finally get a win on Wednesday. That is all that counts for us and nothing else.

"This is already like a small cup final for us."

And Leverkusen should know what to expect, having defeated Genk 4-1 in a friendly this summer.

"This will be a totally different game and cannot be compared to that one," Kadlec was quoted as saying at Tuesday's pre-match press conference.

"We will have to see what we come up against, but we should be concentrating on ourselves anyway."

Dutt not only welcomes Kadlec back into his side after a three-game suspension in the Bundesliga, but Andre Schurrle is also available, despite being banned domestically.

"It is great to have Andre back again," said Dutt at the press conference.

"He showed against Chelsea how he can always find holes, even in a world-class defence, and he can create chances."

Michael Ballack is also back after missing the 3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich at the weekend due to a virus.

Genk arrive in Germany on the back of a disappointing 1-1 draw at OH Leuven at the weekend which leaves them struggling to defend their league title, five points adrift of leaders Club Brugge.

However, their coach Mario Been expects a better performance from his side on Wednesday night.

"I believe 100% in our chances," he told his club's website. "But we must not do stupid things like we did against Leuven.

"If we get something, then we will have had a very good day."

Been nevertheless regards his side as the underdogs against "one of Europe's top clubs", whose recent form must be ignored.

"They may be going through a rough patch with three defeats in a row, but the Champions League is something else," he said.

Genk captain David Hubert is also looking forward to the chance to put right what has been going wrong domestically, especially after already proving their credentials in Europe with a 0-0 draw against Valencia in their first group game.

He said: "We need to turn things around and it is a good thing that we can do that so soon with another competitive match.

"It may be difficult, but we are all fully motivated for this clash."

Genk made the short trip to Leverkusen without the injured trio Kevin De Bruyne, Fabien Camus and Anthony Vanden Borre.

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