The Bayer Leverkusen manager has emphasized that the current UEFA Champions League title holders are the team to beat in the coveted tournament.
Bayer Leverkusen are set to play Barcelona in the first-leg of the knockout stage of the Champions League. The pre-quarterfinal will take place at Leverkusen’s BayArena on Tuesday.
The German coach has expressed that eliminating the Spanish Giants from the Champions League will be an immensely difficult task for the German Bundesliga-outfit. He stated that the Catalans are too strong for his side; however, his men are more than willing
to give all that they can to match the quality of the current European Champions.
The German coach conceded that he considers Pep Guardiola’s men to be the favourites to qualify for the next stage of the Champions League.
Leverkusen qualified for the knock-out stages of the prestigious tournament after finishing second in their group which consisted of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Valencia-c40863 and Genk. Premier League side, Chelsea, topped the group whereas Valencia and Genk were eliminated.
Although reaching the round-of-16 was considered a remarkable feat, Dutt admitted that his team’s European ambitions may be short-lived as they now face the strongest team in the world.
La Blaugrana finished the group stage as leaders of their group, asserting their dominance over European football.
Hence, the German tactician has commented that it would be nearly impossible for his side to defeat Barcelona in the two-legged fixture.
While addressing the media, the mentor was quoted as saying:
"I would be a miracle if we could beat http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Spain-c3011 national team. We will have to pay equal attention to every Barca player - even their substitutes are at international level."
The 47-year-old also discussed Barcelona’s current position in the Spanish La Liga. The Spanish Champions slumped to a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Osasuna over the weekend and have almost lost the Spanish title to Real Madrid.
However, Dutt has stated that the domestic situation of the Catalan Giants will not affect their European objectives.
"They sometimes drop a point or two in the league, but almost never in the Champions League," the German mentor claimed.
Barcelona will play Leverkusen away from home and are favourites to qualify for the quarter-finals of the European competition.
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