Barcelona draws 1-1 with Leverkusen in Champions League

It was a tense affair as FC Barcelona, who had nothing to play for, were able to hold on to a draw against Bayer Leverkusen who will now play in the Europa League after their final group game ended 1-1. “Barca always wants to win and I expect them to field their best players”.

The dynamics are finely balanced: if Leverkusen fail to win, but BATE Borisov beat Roma, then the Belarusians would qualify for the first time.

For the hosts, this match is far from meaningless – and indeed depending on which way results go in Group E tonight, Bayer still harbour hopes of reaching the Round of 16 alongside Barcelona.

A purposeful and positive start from Leverkusen saw Kevin Kampl and Calhanoglu threaten early on, the latter bringing a save out of Marc-Andre ter Stegen with a curling free-kick in the 12th minute. The news is a blow to Barca boss Luis Enrique, with his squad scheduled to depart for Japan next week to play in the Fifa Club World Cup.

Cameroon teenager Wilfrid Kaptoum made his Champions League debut and midfielder Sergi Samper made only his third appearance at this level in an experimental side.

According to USA Today, Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique aren’t even traveling with the team to Germany for the game in order to prepare for other competitions.

Barcelona, who have captured the Champions League, Spain’s La Liga, the Copa del Rey and European Super Cup this year, first have to negotiate a semi-final against either Club America or Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Guangzhou who meet on Sunday.

In the twentieth minute, though, Barca Enrique’s men sprung to life as Rakitic slid an incisive through ball into the run of Messi.

“We have to analyse the game against Hertha and look at our mistakes”, he told Leverkusen’s website.

“All we needed was one more goal so we are very disappointed”, Leverkusen’s Christoph Kramer said.

Leverkusen were guilty of missing several good openings in the second half especially by Hakan Calhanoglu when a win would have seen them qualify for the next round.

Leverkusen replied quickly. Admir Mehmedi sent in a low cross from the left and Hernandez fired a first-time shot into the roof of the net.

One of Bayer’s best chances came off a disgusting attempt of a clearance by Jordi Alba and the ball fell kindly to Karim Bellarabi who was in on goal but was denied by Ter-Stegen.