Elimination ‘has not crossed our minds’

BARCELONA will look to avoid an embarrassing early exit from the Champions League and an unwanted place in the history books tonight.

It is crunch time for Frank Rijkaard’s side, who know anything other than three points at the Nou Camp against Werder Bremen will see them become the first defending champions to fail to make the knockout stage of the Champions League. For Bremen, a point in Spain would be enough to join Chelsea in the last 16.

Barca suffered a setback in their preparations for the game when they were held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Levante in La Liga at the weekend. Despite that result though, the Spanish champions are in determined mood.