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Barca train sights on Champions League campaign

Comment: 0 February 14th, 2012 by: admin

NOW that their dream of claiming a fourth successive La Liga is slowly drifting away, Barcelona are training their guns on the Champions League.

They are bent to retain Europe’s Holy Grail and Bayer Leverkusen are an obstacle they want to hurdle to stay on course to fulfilling that.

The Catalans take on the Germans in Tuesday’s round of 16 first-leg tussle at Bay Arena in Leverkusen and are hoping to bounce back from their recent setback in the La Liga.

Barca’s chance to keep their Spanish title dimmed after they lost at Osasuna 2-3 and they are now 10 points behind arch rivals Real Madrid who widened the gap following their 4-2 thrashing of Levante.

On Monday night, Barca boss Pep Guardiola said his men are reeling under the weight of heavy expectations.

Guardiola dismissed insinuations they are now focusing on the Champions League because they see it as a “replacement drug” for their failure in the La Liga.

“The Champions League is always difficult at this stage,” he said. “We know how close it can be. That’s why I don’t understand this argument.”

Barca defender Daniel Alvez said they want to forget about the loss to Osasuna and look ahead.

“Of course the points difference is big, but we’re in a different competition now and we have to concentrate on that.’’

Barca are facing a side which are also beset by setbacks.

Leverkusen have posted only one win in their last seven matches and are presently sixth in the Bundesliga on goal difference. Adding to their woes is the club’s misunderstanding with veteran midfielder Michael Ballack.

Since Leverkusen managing director Wolfgang Holzhaeuser said his transfer has been a “failure,” the former German captain has not seen action for Leverkusen.

The 35-year-old Ballack’s return was completely shut as he suffered a torn calf muscle during training.

Other injuries bugging the team of coach Robin Dutt are those of winger Sidney Sam and striker Eren Derdiyok (both foot problems).

Leverkusen captain Simon Rolfes said their meeting with Barca is a “classic David vs. Goliath game.”

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