Leverkusen a ´special tie´ for Barcelona

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell insists that Pep Guardiola’s men were prepared to face any side in the Champions League last 16.

The reigning European champions were drawn with Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen in Friday’s draw in Nyon, Switzerland.

Barcelona are looking to become the first side in the Champions League era to retain their crown and their passage to the final in Munich begins with another trip to Germany in February.

“Bayer Leverkusen is okay,” Rosell said.

“Whoever you get, they all have their pros and their cons. We’ve got Bayer, so perfect. For any option, like with anything in life, you can look at the good and the bad. I imagine everything will be ready for us to approach it.”

Rosell admitted Barca would not have relished facing either of the two Russian sides, CSKA Moscow or Zenit St Petersburg, due to the long trip and cold conditions in February.

“The Russians, due to the time on the plane and having to travel the day before, plus the cold, we preferred not to have to face them,” he said.

“But the positive side would have been that they are in pre-season.”

Meanwhile, sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta said the last-16 match-up with Leverkusen is a ‘special tie’, but warned the Catalans they face a difficult challenge.

“Leverkusen are very tough,” he said.

“I like German football, I always have. They are grounds where you see a lot of passion, emotion, young people – and I think it’s an excellent place.”

“They (German teams) don’t ever give in, get scared or let themselves be intimidated. I think it’s a special tie.”