Bayer Leverkusen vs Barcelona: Roger Schmidt knows qualification is going to be tough

Posted Wednesday, December 09, 2015 by PA

Bayer Leverkusen coach Roger Schmidt is under no illusions about the size of the task facing his side if they are to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages.

The German outfit have not won since matchday one but can still qualify from Group E if they better second-placed Roma's result against BATE Borisov.

Schmidt's team host reigning champions Barcelona, who are already through as group winners, on Wednesday night.

He told uefa.com: "Barcelona are in great shape. With (Lionel) Messi being fit again, they are even stronger - he is the best player in the world after all. There is no way to completely deny him.

"Together with Bayern Munich, they are probably the best side in the world. It is going to be tough.

"It doesn't matter (that Barcelona are already through) Barca always want to win and I expect them to field their best players.

"But we are looking forward to the game and want to compete with them in our own stadium. We have already shown that we are capable of putting in special performances in Europe."

Indeed, Leverkusen led in the reverse fixture at the Nou Camp in September with 80 minutes on the clock, only to concede twice late on to lose 2-1.

Defender Omer Toprak knows his team are going to have to make the most of what opportunities they create.

He said: "We'll need to take all of the few chances which come our way against Barcelona."

Roberto Hilbert made his return from a knee injury in Leverkusen's defeat against Hertha Berlin at the weekend and may start against Barcelona but Lars Bender, Ryu Seung-woo (both ankle) and Tin Jedvaj (thigh) are injured.

Barca have problems of their own though with right-back Dani Alves suspended and Jeremy Mathieu, Sergi Roberto, Douglas and Rafinha missing through injury.

The Spanish side's seven-match winning run in all competitions ended on Saturday when they were held to a draw at Valencia and head coach Luis Enrique might want his team to be more ruthless in front of goal in Germany.

He said: "We had the better chances, but we were not able to finish [Valencia] off. We tried to close it out but we could not do it and in one counter they scored.

"I think we could have won but then that is the beauty of football."