Bayer Leverkusen analysis ahead of Barcelona clash

Barcelona know all about Bayer Leverkusen, who they beat 7-1 at the Camp Nou with five goals from Lionel Messi... but also were eliminated by when Schuster missed a penalty in 1988. 

Bayer Leverkusen saw off Lazio to reach the group stage, 3-1 on aggregate. 

Managed by Roger Schmidt, the German side use a 4-2-3-1 and sometimes 4-4-2. The last XI they put out, against Lazio, was: Leno; Hilbert, Tah, Papadopoulos, Wendell; Kramer, Bender; Bellarabi, Hakan Çalhanoglu, Mehmedi; Kiessling.

They have signed Chile's Charles Aranguiz, Swiss Admir Mehmedi, German Jonathan Tah and Greek Kyriakos Papadopoulos. They have lost Milik to Ajax, Wollscheid to Stoke, Reinartz to Eintract, Kohr to Augsburg, Drmic to Borussia Monchengladbach and Castro to Borussia Dortmund. 

They will be aiming to at least get through the group, like they have done in the last two tournaments. However they were then seen off by PSG and Atletico Madrid, the latter on penalties. 

Barcelona thrashed them in 2011/12, winning 3-1 away then 7-1 at home. 

Stadium

BayArena (35,000). Remodeled in 2009. Before it was known as the Ulrich Haberland Stadion, in honour of an old president. 

Coach

Rogetr Schmidt. Born March 13, 1967. Second campaign in charge of the club.

Star man

Stefan Kiessling. Born January 25, 1984. 1.91m tall and a German international. Has played for the club since 06-07.

Previous clashes 

UEFA Cup 1987/1988

Last 16: Bayer Leverkusen-FC Barcelona 0-0

Last 16: FC Barcelona-Bayer Leverkusen 0-1

Champions League 2001/2002

Group stage: Bayer Leverkusen-FC Barcelona 2-1

Group stage: FC Barcelona-Bayer Leverkusen 2-1

Champions League 2002/2003

Group Stage: Bayer Leverkusen-FC Barcelona 1-2

Group Stage: FC Barcelona-Bayer Leverkusen 3-1

Champions League 2011/2012

Last 16: Bayer Leverkusen-FC Barcelona 1-3

Last 16: FC Barelona-Bayer Leverkusen 7-1