The Champions League knockout phase is underway, and Bayer Leverkusen got their ass handed to them by FC Barcelona. A sold out crowd of 29,412 in the BayArena saw Leverksuen basically try and defend their way through, which was obviously not going to work against the Catalan juggernaut. Two goals by Alexis Sanchez and a final by Leo Messi gave the defending champs a deserved win.

Bayer was too timid early on. They let Barcelona control the match with their usual “ticky-tacky” play. After falling behind, the Aspirins switched to a more aggressive attack, and were rewarded with an equalizer. However, they then let down their guard, and a superb through-pass by Fabregas aloowed Sanchez to round the keeper. From then, it was just a matter of time, and Messi provided the coup-de-grace near the end.

Basically, this contest is over, because their is no way Leverkusen has a chance in the Nou Camp.

Bayer Leverkusen:
Leno -
Corluka, M. Friedrich , Schwaab , Kadlec -
Reinartz, Rolfes, L. Bender -
Renato Augusto,Castro -
Schürrle

Subs:
77. Kießling for Rolfes
90. Bellarabi for Schürrle
90. + 1 da Costa for Corluka

FC Barcelona:

Victor Valdes -
Dani Alves, Mascherano, Puyol, Abidal -
Busquets -
Fabregas, Iniesta -
Adriano, Messi, Sanchez

Subs:
60. Thiago Alcantara for Iniesta
69. Pedro for Adriano
85. Cuenca for Sanchez

Scoring:
0:1 Sanchez (41., Messi)
1:1 Kadlec (52., Corluka)
1:2 Sanchez (55., Fabregas)
1:3 Messi (88., Dani Alves)