Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen host reigning European champions FC Barcelona in the first leg of this UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie. Join us for live scores and blog from 6:30am AEDT.
For the first time in many moons, Barcelona are looking vulnerable and could be in for a rude shock if they play below their best against Leverkusen this morning.
While Leverkusen themselves are hardly setting the Bundesliga on fire, expect the German club to put all their eggs in the one basket here and take the game to the La Liga giants.
Currently in sixth position in the Bundesliga, Leverkusen is currently ten points adrift from an automatic spot in the Champions League next season.
Given that they are unlikely to finish inside the top four domestically, the German club will be eager to make the most of their place in the Champions League knockout stages with a high intensity performance against Barcelona.
Pep Guardiola’s men meanwhile go into this match knowing their chances of retaining the La Liga title are gone, given that Real Madrid extended their lead atop of the table to ten points thanks to their win over Levante.
Coming off a 3-2 loss to Osasuna, Barcelona will need to play at their usual high level if they are to keep Leverkusen at bay.
Prediction:
Although Barcelona has struggled on the road in La Liga, they did win all their away matches during the Champions League group stages which included a 3-2 victory over AC Milan at the San Siro.
The Catalan kings however could be up against it early on as Leverkusen aim to pressure Guardiola’s men into error. Expect Xavi, Iniesta and Messi to hardly be given time on the ball during the opening stages here.
Like Osasuna before them, if Leverkusen can somehow sneak an early goal, then it will go a long way to disrupting Barcelona’s ability to dominate possession.
Furthermore, an early goal will allow Leverkusen to play on the counter attack, and this is where key players such as Eren Derdiyok, Tranquillo Barnetta, Simon Rolfes and Stefan Kiessling can trouble a Barcelona backline that lacks pace.
For Barcelona, the equation is simple. If they can weather the early storm from Leverkusen, expect Xavi, Ineista and Messi to take control of proceedings here
Messi in particular will welcome the inclusion of Xavi and Iniesta back into the fold, given that the two Spanish internationals were rested for the game against Osasuna.
With attacking superstars Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fabregas also likely to start, Barcelona should have too much firepower for Leverkusen if the Spaniards are allowed to dicate the tempo of the match.
Overall, this is likely to be a tight contest given that both sides will be desperate to stay alive in the Champions League in order to make up for disappointing domestic performances. Despite their poor form, expect Barcelona to bounce back somewhat and register a narrow 2-1 victory against Leverkusen.
Alan
Roar Guru
So that concludes our coverage of what was an entertaining encounter between Leverkusen and Barcelona. Despite a scare, Barcelona seem to have taken a definitive advantage to the Camp Nou when the two teams meet for the second leg in three weeks time. Final score: Leverkusen 1 Barcelona 3 Thanks for joining us for this Champions League match and we look forward to your company next time on The Roar.
Alan
Roar Guru
Despite the scoreline, Barca were given a big fright against Leverkusen here as the Germans went up a few gears in the second half. Augusto and Castro in particular were unlucky not to find themselves on the scoresheet for Leverkusen as Kadlec equalised for the home side. Barca however regathered their dominance just in time and the class of Messi and Sanchez in particular guided Barcelona home here. Leverkusen 1 Barcelona 3
Alan
Roar Guru
FULLTIME - Barcelona have beaten Leverkusen 3-1 here away from home. Leverkusen 1 Barcelona 3
Alan
Roar Guru
92' - Alves finds Messi but Pedro is offside so the play is called off. Leverkusen 1 Barcelona 3
Alan
Roar Guru
92' - Good buildup play from Leverkusen but Augusto is offside. Leverkusen 1 Barcelona 3
Alan
Roar Guru
SUB - DaCosta comes on for Corluka Leverkusen 1 Barcelona 3
Alan
Roar Guru
90' - Three minutes of added time here now... Leverkusen 1 Barcelona 3
Alan
Roar Guru
GOAL BARCELONA - Messi starts the play and finishes it off. Alves with a nice cross and the Argentine puts it away. 3-1 Barcelona. Leverkusen 1 Barcelona 3
Alan
Roar Guru
86' -Thiago gets a yellow card here and Leverkusen get the freekick. Barca clear well though. Leverkusen 1 Barcelona 2
Alan
Roar Guru
SUBSTITUTION - Sanchez makes way for Cuenca. Leverkusen 1 Barcelona 2
Alan
Roar Guru
CHANCE - Leno produces an outstanding save to deny Barcelona their third goal from a corner. Leverkusen 1 Barcelona 2
Alan
Roar Guru
83' - Corner now for Barcelona Leverkusen 1 Barcelona 2
Alan
Roar Guru
82' - Kiessling very unlucky to concede a freekick here against Mascherano. Leverkusen 1 Barcelona 2
Alan
Roar Guru
81' - Barca now build from the back with Mascherano. Leverkusen 1 Barcelona 2
Alan
Roar Guru
CHANCE - Messi goes on a run from deep in the midfield and fires a shot that Leno saves comfortably. Leverkusen 1 Barcelona 2
Alan
Roar Guru
79' - Castro gets a yellow card for a challenge on Busquets. Leverkusen 1 Barcelona 2
Alan
Roar Guru
78' - Leno punches a good Barca corner away. Leverkusen 1 Barcelona 2
Alan
Roar Guru
CHANCE - Kiessling with a header but Valdes saves well. Leverkusen 1 Barcelona 2
Alan
Roar Guru
SUBSTITUTION - Rolfes makes way for Kiessling here. Leverkusen 1 Barcelona 2
Alan
Roar Guru
76' - Messi with a nice chip to Alves and Leverkusen force it out for a corner. Leverkusen 1 Barcelona 2