In a recent pre-match press conference conducted by Robin Dutt, the Bayer Leverkusen manager gave some indication of his team’s intentions in the game. Playing in the BayArena for the first leg, Dutt explained the tough task ahead for his team.

“It would be a miracle if we could overcome Barcelona in two games,” said Dutt at the press conference. “Barcelona is better than the Spanish national team,” added the coach before reminding that his team could not make the mistake of focusing on the danger posed by Lionel Messi. “We have to deal equally with each of the Barcelona players. As even Barcelona’s second team is of comparable quality to many international sides,” he concluded.

The defeat of Barcelona against Osasuna in the Spanish League, according to Dutt, will not change things. “That occurred in the League but in the Champions League they have almost never had only one point [a draw],” conveyed the German coach.

Meanwhile in a separate interview with UEFA.com, Bayer 04 Leverkusen centre-back Manuel Friedrich expressed the duality of the current situation with Barcelona. “There are two reactions you can have to the draw,” he said. “On the one hand, ‘oh no!’, and on the other hand ‘that’s great’. In my eyes they are the best team in the world, so what better draw could you get?”

Leverkusen are competing in the Round of 16 for the first time since 2004/05, but they have nothing to lose, and says Friedrich, Leverkusen are “very happy to have such as high-profile” draw. “Everyone sees us as complete outsiders. I think that is normal when you play against Barcelona, because they just are the best team. So we’re looking forward to the two games.”

Their excellent achievement of defeating Chelsea FC on matchday five, which secured their progress, made Friedrich confident in his team’s ability. “We went behind to a Didier Drogba goal but we got a second wind. We realised we could get a point, then we scored,” said Friedrich with joy, having scored his side’s late winner that night. “We may have been satisfied, but then we said ‘what the heck, we have nothing to lose’. We put in even more effort and ended up winning.”

For Barcelona, their game plan is simple. “We should have respect, but not too much. You just have to look forward to the challenge, give everything, run until you need to see a doctor and then see what comes from that.” Before adding that “every football player dreams about measuring himself against the best players in the world.”

“Our manager doesn’t have to say anything to us about this,” expressed Friedrich, whose side will be relishing any chance to once again compete in the finals. “I mean everyone knows their players, everyone knows the club and everyone knows how they play. You don’t have to get motivated for a game like that or be in the right mind.”

Sources: FIFA.com, La Vanguardia; Image Source: PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images