Barcelona‘s Lionel Messi (right) and Neymar during training before their Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen, in BayArena, December 8, 2015.
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But Bayer Leverkusen fell short of qualifying to the next round of the Champions League, as it drew 1-1 with Barcelona, and was unable to edge Roma for a second place finish. “For us, though, these kinds of games are like touching the sky”.
“I felt positive about our performance”, said Enrique, with his side already through as Group E winners.
Slipping behind the Leverkusen defence just past the 20 minutes mark, Messi was all alone heading towards goal.
The dynamics are finely balanced: if Leverkusen fail to win, but BATE Borisov beat Roma, then the Belarusians would qualify for the first time.
Especially Barcelona’s goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen drove the hosts to desperation as he defused promising chances over and over again. The news is a blow to Barca boss Luis Enrique, with his squad scheduled to depart for Japan next week to play in the Fifa Club World Cup.
Stefan Kiessling’s introduction failed to bring the goal Schmidt was desperate for as Leverkusen dropped into the Europa League, while holders Barca prepare for another tilt at the title in the knockout stages.
First-choice Spain internationals Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique were left in Barcelona while Dani Alves was suspended.
Bayer Leverkusen have been playing below expectations in the 2015/2016 Champions League campaign. The game was a litmus test for us.
Messi picked up a flawless through ball from Ivan Rakitic to score in the 20th.
Messi missed Barcelona’s 2-1 win over the Germans in September with injury and is set to get more match practice in Leverkusen having only returned a fortnight ago. Anyhow, Bayer Leverkusen should mind their own business in their final group game and they are likely to adopt an attack-minded approach in Tuesday’s clash against Barcelona.
Swiss winger Admir Mehmedi put in a low cross, which Hakan Calhanoglu left for the Mexican striker and Hernandez crashed his shot past Ter Stegen with his left foot on 24 minutes.
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Barcelona had one good chance in the second half as Sandro broke behind the Leverkusen defence but he could not do anything with the ball.
