The result of today's game seemingly carries little to no consequence for Barça with regard to qualification. However, there is a need to maintain the current tidal wave of momentum that results over past month have built up. The onus is on Bayer Leverkusen to take the game to Barça, yet any result other than a win will see Luis Enrique and the players criticised (perhaps for "not taking the game seriously").
Bayer Leverkusen
Like most German sides, Bayer Leverkusen are a well-drilled team and their whole is greater than the sum of their parts. There is quality throughout the Werkself side - from Bernd Leno in goal and Kyriakos Papadopoulos in defence to Christoph Kramer in midfield and Javier "Chicharito" Hernández up front. The Brazilian fullback Wendell is a threat in attack with his runs from deep. We all know the undoubted threat that Hakan Çalhanoğlu poses from deal ball situations. Karim Bellarabi possesses incredible speed but has the flaw of his feet sometimes working faster than his mind. An inclusion of Stefan Kießling will be a threat for the makeshift centre-back duo of Marc Bartra and Thomas Vermaelen. The lanky forward might not be fast but he has enough intelligence in off-ball movement to make his mark.
On the topic of off-ball movement, the Barça defence will have to keep a close eye on Chicharito. With his pace, intelligent off-ball runs and uncanny goalscoring ability the Mexican is Leverkusen's most in-form player at the moment - 13 goals in 21 appearances in all competitions; 4 goals in the 5 UCL group stage matches. He must be kept on a tight leash if Marc-André ter Stegen & Co are to keep a clean sheet today. On a positive note, Chicharito's 4 UCL goals this season do not include any at Camp Nou earlier this season. He failed to score in the hour that he played then.
Makeshift Barça XI
The intense pressing game that Roger Schmidt has implemented would be seen again today, as usual. It would probably be a toned down version as Leverkusen would have noted the perils of playing a high line against Barça - just see the holes Roma left in their defence at Camp Nou in Matchday 5. Leverkusen have to come out and take the game to Barça. That could prove to be their undoing or their salvation, depending on how well this makeshift Barça side play. Without the synergy and near-telepathic understanding that the usual partnerships bring, Leverkusen's pressing could have a greater effect than expected. The Blaugrana offensive threat will be blunted by Neymar's absence. If Luis Suárez is rested, Munir El Haddadi and Sandro Ramírez have yet another chance to impress.
Sergi Samper
Sergi Samper has not been given many chances so far this season, with just the 3 senior appearances. Today's game gives him a great platform to impress like we know he can. Against seasoned professionals like Kramer, Kampl and Çalhanoğlu, Samper will most definitely be tested. Leverkusen are a good team and a tough opponent for any side, thus impressing today would go a long way in boosting his chances for more minutes at senior level.
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