Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Michael Ballack has been ruled out of Tuesday night's UEFA Champions League last-16 first-leg tie at home to Barcelona.
Ballack has sat on the bench for Leverkusen's last three Bundesliga matches but was expected to be called upon on Tuesday night due to his vast European experience.
Instead, the 35-year-old 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," Leverkusen's director of sport Rudi Voller said 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 Tuesday'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.
Match facts and stats
:: Barcelona scored 20 goals in this season's Champions League Group Stage, equaling the all-time record set by Manchester United in 1998/99.
:: These sides have met on six occasions in European competition, Barcelona winning the last three encounters.
:: Bayer Leverkusen have only kept six clean sheets in their last 42 Champions League matches.
:: Starting with his goal in the 2009 final, Lionel Messi has scored 27 goals in his last 28 Champions League starts, including six in five this season.
:: Bayer Leverkusen picked up seven points from losing positions this season in the Champions League Group Stage, more than any other team.
Ballack has sat on the bench for Leverkusen's last three Bundesliga matches but was expected to be called upon on Tuesday night due to his vast European experience.Instead, the 35-year-old 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," Leverkusen's director of sport Rudi Voller said 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 Tuesday'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.
Match facts and stats
:: Barcelona scored 20 goals in this season's Champions League Group Stage, equaling the all-time record set by Manchester United in 1998/99.
:: These sides have met on six occasions in European competition, Barcelona winning the last three encounters.
:: Bayer Leverkusen have only kept six clean sheets in their last 42 Champions League matches.
:: Starting with his goal in the 2009 final, Lionel Messi has scored 27 goals in his last 28 Champions League starts, including six in five this season.
:: Bayer Leverkusen picked up seven points from losing positions this season in the Champions League Group Stage, more than any other team.
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