Elimination ‘has not crossed our minds’
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.
“We have the squad and the game to get into the quarter-finals. It will be important not to let a goal in,” said midfielder Edmilson.
“They (Werder) are a strong side defensively, they play well on the counter-attack and are dangerous in the air.
“They are better than last year and we have to be at 100%. It would be a failure to go out at this stage. It would be a massive disappointment.”
Spanish international Andres Iniesta added: “Elimination has not crossed our minds. We know Bremen are a strong team, but we have the advantage of playing at home. I am sure the supporters will help us, because they also know how much we are playing for in this game.”
Barca should welcome back playmaker Ronaldinho after he was rested against Levante, while Mexican Rafael Marquez could be involved following injury.
Bremen know they are on the verge of causing a massive upset.
“We have the chance to create a sensation and it would be precisely that if we can get past the defending champions,” admitted Klaus Allofs, Bremen’s director of sport.
“To have gained 10 points in this group and played so well against Chelsea and Barcelona is a success which has given us a lot of self-confidence.”
While Barca will be favourites, Allofs believes the pressure of playing in front of a packed house at the Nou Camp will not affect his side.
“We have all played in a big stadia before and a lot took part in the World Cup or other major tournaments. The atmosphere will be tremendous and the fans will get right behind their team.
“But that will put a huge amount of pressure on Barcelona. There will be almost 100,000 fans sitting there expecting nothing else but for their team not to go out.”
While Rijkaard’s team selections against Levante were made with one eye on tonight, Werder beat Hertha Berlin 3-1 with a full strength team on Saturday.
“We would have been negligent to take players out who are in form,” said Allofs. “We wanted the three points because we are aiming for the title.”
BARCELONA (probable): Valdes; Zambrotta, Puyol, Marquez/Thuram, van Bronckhorst; Deco, Edmilson, Iniesta; Guily, Ronaldinho, Gudjohnsen
WERDER BREMEN (probable): Wiese; Fritz, Mertesacker, Naldo, Wome; Borowski, Frings, Diego, Jensen; Klose, Almeida
Referee: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland).
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