Bayer Leverkusen vs Barcelona preview - Ballack out for Leverkusen

Posted Tuesday, February 14, 2012 by PA

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Michael Ballack has been deprived of a possible start in their Champions League tie with Barcelona due to an injury picked up in training.

The former Germany captain has sat on the bench for Leverkusen's last three Bundesliga matches, but the 35-year-old was expected to be called upon due to his vast European experience.

Instead, he faces even more time on the sidelines, depriving Leverkusen of an influential figure at the BayArena where their chances are already regarded as being low.

"They are not a bad side," said Leverkusen's director of sport Rudi Voller with a smile.

"We have been looking forward to this game for weeks, for the fans and for our young players who will play against the best side in the world.

"This is definitely a dream."

After losing for the sixth time in the league at the weekend, Voller is hoping his side can use tomorrow's game as a learning exercise.

"Of course we will try to cause Barca problems," he is quoted as saying by Die Welt newspaper.

"Usually, when you watch them, you say to yourself `my word, they play good football'.

"It is great for the players to experience in the flesh how they do it and why they are so good."

Bayer coach Robin Dutt is not being so pessimistic, though, and feels his side have a chance against the Catalans.

"Nobody has ever believed in us in the Champions League," he said. "We went behind twice - to Valencia and to Chelsea - and in the end, the winners were Bayer Leverkusen."

Osasuna gave Leverkusen a good example of Barca's fallibility at the weekend with a win which, combined with Real Madrid's victory over Levante last night, leaves Pep Guardiola's side 10 points adrift at the top of the Primera Division.

A successful defence of their league title therefore looks unlikely, which is why they will now focus on becoming the first club ever to defend a Champions League crown.

"The league is very difficult now, but we are not going to stop competing and we will keep up the pressure," said their director of sport Andoni Zubizarreta to reporters at Barcelona airport today.

"If anything happens to Madrid, then we have got to be there to take advantage, but if they carry on playing the way with such consistency then they will win the league.

"Obviously it is not in our hands, nor does it depend on the game at the Nou Camp.

"We are a club set up to compete in every competition and when you are not able to do that, then it does leave a bitter aftertaste.

"But we are able to regroup and start afresh."

Barca have taken 22 players with them to Germany, where they are set to face freezing temperatures tomorrow night.

"I don't think it will be much colder than it was in Pamplona, but if it is, then we will just have to adapt," added Zubizarreta, who will not accept the weather as an excuse for an eventual disappointment.

Sergio Busquets' name features on the squad list, although he is unlikely to play.

In addition to being without Ballack, Leverkusen are also unable to count on the injured Sidney Sam.