Bayer Leverkusen face defending champions FC Bacelona in the final group stage match of this Champions League season (20:45 CET). Despite this huge task, Leverkusen are dreaming of a 'Christmas miracle' against Messi & Co. and second place in Group E.
It’s not impossible. "We are an unpredictable side," said Leverkusen head of sport Rudi Völler. "I hope that we have a good day, and that we can make the miracle come true. We will need a bit of luck, and then we have a small chance."
Previous meeting gives hope
They will need a win against, according to Völler, the "out of this world" trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, and will also need BATE Borissow’s help against AS Roma should they wish to book their place in the next round of the Champions League. In the worst case scenario, the eighth-placed team in the Bundesliga may even miss out on the Europa League. At least one of Barca’s attacking trio will miss out. Neymar picked up an injury in the final training session on Tuesday in the BayArena.
Turkey international Hakan Calhanoglu is staying realistic after his team have recorded just one win in their last seven competitive matches. "It would be a miracle to win against Barca." Manager Roger Schmidt has promised that his team will try everything to pick up the crucial three points. "We saw in the unlucky 2-1 defeat last time round that we are capable of frustrating them." This result from the end of September will give the Leverkusen players confidence.
Toprak: "We have a small chance"
"We showed in the last match, that we can hold our own against them," said Ömer Toprak, who will replace the injured Lars bender as captain once again. The Turkish defender noted too, that "We have a small chance. We will need a perfect performance if we want to make use of this."
Leverkusen have been far away from this in their recent matches. According to Völler, they will have to try and address their defensive weaknesses from set pieces. "A lot of goals are scored against us from dead ball situations – every other one. That is a huge amount, and we have to address this." The manager made another observation: "We sometimes lack the willingness to take responsibility," noted Schmidt.
[mmc/wh]
Bayer Leverkusen face defending champions FC Bacelona in the final group stage match of this Champions League season (20:45 CET). Despite this huge task, Leverkusen are dreaming of a 'Christmas miracle' against Messi & Co. and second place in Group E.
It’s not impossible. "We are an unpredictable side," said Leverkusen head of sport Rudi Völler. "I hope that we have a good day, and that we can make the miracle come true. We will need a bit of luck, and then we have a small chance."
Previous meeting gives hope
They will need a win against, according to Völler, the "out of this world" trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, and will also need BATE Borissow’s help against AS Roma should they wish to book their place in the next round of the Champions League. In the worst case scenario, the eighth-placed team in the Bundesliga may even miss out on the Europa League. At least one of Barca’s attacking trio will miss out. Neymar picked up an injury in the final training session on Tuesday in the BayArena.
Turkey international Hakan Calhanoglu is staying realistic after his team have recorded just one win in their last seven competitive matches. "It would be a miracle to win against Barca." Manager Roger Schmidt has promised that his team will try everything to pick up the crucial three points. "We saw in the unlucky 2-1 defeat last time round that we are capable of frustrating them." This result from the end of September will give the Leverkusen players confidence.
Toprak: "We have a small chance"
"We showed in the last match, that we can hold our own against them," said Ömer Toprak, who will replace the injured Lars bender as captain once again. The Turkish defender noted too, that "We have a small chance. We will need a perfect performance if we want to make use of this."
Leverkusen have been far away from this in their recent matches. According to Völler, they will have to try and address their defensive weaknesses from set pieces. "A lot of goals are scored against us from dead ball situations – every other one. That is a huge amount, and we have to address this." The manager made another observation: "We sometimes lack the willingness to take responsibility," noted Schmidt.
