LONDON: Despite Barcelona and AC Milan stressing the need to avoid complacency to reach the Champions League quarterfinals, there should really only be two matches this week where the outcome remains uncertain.
Benfica hosts Zenit St. Petersburg after a 3-2 loss in Russia and newcomer APOEL will be trying to overturn a 1-0 away loss to Lyon.
But although Barcelona has a 3-1 lead over Bayer Leverkusen, the holders will have to cope without injured strikers Alexis Sanchez and David Villa at the Camp Nou on Wednesday.
And Leverkusen, with nothing to lose, is full of confidence after securing its first league win over Bayern Munich in 15 attempts at the weekend.
“Some may take Leverkusen for granted and underestimate them,” Barca coach Pep Guardiola said. “But we still have a lot of work to do to get ready for a team with a lot of height that with a corner kick can break open the knockout series.”
And since losing the first leg to Barca, Leverkusen has won three league games in a row for the first time this season.
“This is a very young team that tries to play with a lot of passion,” Leverkusen coach Robin Dutt said. “They are always moving and are prepared to run a lot.”
But top scorer Lionel Messi should be well rested after sitting out Barcelona’s 3-1 win over Sporting Gijon due to suspension on Saturday.
And Dutt knows his side will need to produce an extraordinary performance in Spain.
AC Milan would have to collapse like no side has in Europe since the 1980s to be ousted by Arsenal after a 4-0 victory in Italy.
“We know the statistics are against us, but you also know that you can realize the impossible when you don’t know it is impossible,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. “We can score in quick succession and we can have a good edge in our game. We have it all to win, and all to do because the result is written before we turn up, but we can change it, and we must go for it.” (Agencies)
