UCL: Leverkusen host Barcelona tonight

Last season Bundesliga runners-up Bayer 04 Leverkusen host current Spanish La Liga champions FC Barcelona at their BayArena tonight. The German side go into the first-leg of their UEFA Champions League tie knowing that a win against the defending champions would a massive upset, but in recent European ties Leverkusen had come out as winners against the Catalan giants.

Leverkusen's coach of Indian origin Robin Dutt said ahead of the first-leg that Barca are the big favourites, but in football anything is possible. Over the weekend Leverkusen suffered a set-back in the Bundesliga with a 0-1 loss against champions Borussia Dortmund with Leverkusen playing an ultra-defensive, tactically strong game. Many said Leverkusen was testing the system for Barca though Dutt wants to play football against Barca as his team normally does.

Leverkusen will miss midfielder Michael Ballack due to an injury picked-up on Sunday, but the former Germany captain has not been in the scheme of things in recent matches.

Leverkusen go into the tie knowing the tough task on hand, but their officials and players keep on repeating that they play the best club side in the world, but in football anything is possible. If they believe in what they say, maybe the cold weather also has an effect on Barca then who knows if Leverkusen can get a good result or even an upset.

Barcelona come to Leverkusen following a 2-3 loss against Osasuna and a 10 point gap to league leaders Real Madrid. It seems their La Liga title defence is over, so now they can focus on being the first club to defend their UEFA Champions League title. But Barca this season aren't as efficient and good as they have been in recent years. One will have to see what impact the loss against Osasuna has on the side.

One will hope for a close and entertaining encounter at the sold-out BayArena in Leverkusen tonight.