The Catalans drew their opening Champions League game against Roma and will now be aiming for all three points when they host German side Bayer Leverkusen. Their task however will be made difficult with star forward Lionel Messi ruled out of the match.
The Argentine superstar suffered a knee injury during the 2-1 win over Las Palmas on Saturday and is now expected to spend eight weeks on the sidelines.
Barcelona manager Luis Enrique has highlighted Messi's absence as a big loss for his side. Whereas he has admitted that it will be difficult for any player to replace him, he has maintained that the philosophy at the club will not be changed.
"There is no substitute for Messi, it will be a challenge to be competitive without him," Luis Enrique told a news conference. "But we are going to have the same football plan that we use but with other players.
"During preseason we had matches without Messi, Neymar, we used the same plan with other players. It is a challenge to be competiting minus the best player in the world. Pretending to be able to substitute a player like Leo is impossible."
"It is impossible that a manager can ask a player to take a step forward, that is [the player's] job," he said. "That is how I understand it. Neymar must continue to be Neymar and he does that very well. Luis Suarez must continue to be Luis Suarez, he also does that well. They all must take a step forward."
Their opponents Leverkusen are currently top of Group E after recording a convincing 4-1 win over BATE. They however have not enjoyed much luck in Spain having lost 10 of the last 15 matches they have played there.
Goalkeeper Claudio Bravo is set to return to the side for Barcelona, defenders Jordi Alba (neck) and Thomas Vermaelen (calf) are however likely to remain on the sidelines. Leverkusen on the other hand will be without Tin Jedvaj and Omer Toprak whereas Roberto Hilbert is also a doubt.
Match facts
- The Blaugrana have recorded wins in all of their last five matches against Leverkusen having scored 16 and conceded just four goals in the process.
- Last time Leverkusen made a trip to Camp Nou, the match ended 7-1 win in favour of Barcelona.
- Barcelona have won both their opening two Group Stages matches in the Champions League since the 2004/04 season.
Team sheets for Barcelona vs Bayer Leverkusen
Barcelona's lineup: Ter Stegen, Piqué, Dani Alves, Mascherano, Mathieu, Rakitić, Busquets, Iniesta, Suárez, Neymar, Sandro Ramírez.
Bayer's lineup: Leno, Tah, Papadopoulos, Wendell, Donati, L. Bender, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Kramer, Bellarabi, Kampl, Hernández.
Barcelona's subs: Masip,Douglas, Bartra, Munir, Jordi Alba, Sergi Roberto, Gumbau.
Bayer's subs: Kresic, Ramalho, Kiessling, Hilbert, Mehmedi, Boenisch, Brandt.
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