Topics: Lionel Messi, Barcelona, Bayer Leverkusen, UEFA Champions League
Put aside the five goals that he scored in their last meeting, and Leverkusen still have another reason to celebrate La Pulga’s absence.

When the diagnosis of Lionel Messi’s injury on Saturday was revealed, a possible 7 to 8 week lay-off for the Argentine, it was realized that the star attacker would miss several games for the Blaugrana.

Of this, three Champions League matches are in the mix, including both the Catalan giants’ home and away encounter with BATE Borisov.

Of these many fixtures that La Pulga will be ruled out of due to his knee injury, their home clash with Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen is the very first tie that the Argentine will have to watch from the sidelines.

Discussing the issue of Messi’s injury ahead of their Camp Nou trip, Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voeller claimed to be saddened by the fact that the four-time Ballon d’Or will miss Tuesday’s game, saying:

"Messi out? It's a pity for football, you always like to watch him play. He's the best in the world."

However, the truth is that Werkself Neverkusen are most probably celebrating to the prospect of facing a Messi-less Barcelona.

Last time these two sides locked horns on the European stage, the Blaugrana came out victorious 7-0, with La Pulga smashing five past the helpless Bernd Leno.

This is not the sole reason, however.

Stats show that Messi is unstoppable against German sides, scoring 14 goals in 12 matches with teams from the Bundesliga, the joint-top record with Cristiano Ronaldo.

Luis Enrique’s crew drew their opening match 1-1 against Roma, and though they are still favorites to grab the win, Leo will be missed.

Not only is he the team’s most lethal goalscorer, with 41 strikes to his name in 2015 alone, but he is also the best playmaker in the squad, with 20 assists since the turn of the new year.