Ballack blow for Leverkusen ahead of Barcelona clash

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Michael Ballack has been deprived of a possible start in tonight’s Champions League tie with Barcelona due to an injury picked up in training.

The former Germany captain has sat on the bench for Leverkusen’s last three Bundesliga matches, but the 35-year-old was expected to be called upon due to his vast European experience tonight.

Instead, he faces even more time on the sidelines, depriving Leverkusen of an influential figure at the Bay Arena where their chances are already regarded as being low.

“They are not a bad side,” said Leverkusen’s director of sport Rudi Voller with a smile.

“We have been looking forward to this game for weeks, for the fans and for our young players who will play against the best side in the world.

“This is definitely a dream.”

Osasuna gave Leverkusen a good example of Barca’s fallibility at the weekend with a win which, combined with Real Madrid’s victory over Levante on Sunday night, leaves Pep Guardiola’s side 10 points adrift at the top of the Primera Division.

A successful defence of their league title therefore looks unlikely, which is why they will now focus on becoming the first club ever to defend a Champions League crown.

“The league is very difficult now, but we are not going to stop competing and we will keep up the pressure,” said their director of sport Andoni Zubizarreta.

“If anything happens to Madrid, then we have got to be there to take advantage, but if they carry on playing with such consistency then they will win the league.’’

Elsewhere tonight Lyon coach Remi Garde hopes the Champions League will provide a welcome distraction from his side’s Ligue 1 travails after Saturday’s dismal defeat to Caen.

Les Gones are fourth in the league but their eighth defeat of the season left them 11 points adrift of leaders Paris St Germain and Garde joined club president Jean-Michel Aulas in demanding an immediate response against APOEL Nicosia tonight.

“We have eight defeats in the league, which is far too many,” Garde said.

“We have a difficult meeting with APOEL.

“When you play often you have to find a way to lift yourself, I hope that the Champions League can help us do that.”