Group A
Reigning champions Barcelona travel to Sofia having seen their grip on the Champions League trophy weaken as a result of five points dropped in their previus two matches against Chelsea.
But coach Frank Rijkaard says he fully expects his team to beat Levski Sofia and keep the qualifying places in Group A in the melting pot until the crunch meeting with Werder Bremen in two weeks time.
“I’m not thinking that we could be eliminated,” he said. “I’m concentrating only on this game on Wednesday night and I’m sure we will win.”
“I won’t pay attention to it (he other Group A game). I’m always saying that you know how a game will start but not how it will finish, so I won’t worry about it.”
Barcelona are without both Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto’o for a tie they must win. But they can still call upon an array of attacking talent for the trip to Bulgaria.
Although hs team have lost all four Champions League games to date, Levski coach Stanimir Stoilov says his players can be proud of their efforts.
“I am pleased and proud with our European performances over the last two seasons,” he said.
“Of course, the results are not good but, after all, we have played against Barcelona, Chelsea and Werder Bremen. We made a big step forward in reaching the Champions League group stage and now we have much more experience. Next season, if we manage to reach this stage again, we will do much better.”
Stoilov has goalkeeper Georgi Petkov back after he sat out the 3-0 defeat by Bremen on Matchday 4, while striker Valeri Domovchiyski is also in contention after recovering from a groin injury.
Probable teams
Levski:
Georgi Petkov; Zhivko Milanov, Elin Topuzakov, Igor Tomaši?, Lucio Wagner; Richard Eromoigbe, Daniel Borimirov, Stanislav Angelov; Cédric Bardon, Valeri Domovchiyski, Hristo Yovov. ?
Barcelona:
Víctor Valdés; Oleguer Presas, Rafael Márquez, Carles Puyol, Giovanni van Bronckhorst; Thiago Motta, Ronaldinho, Deco, Andrés Iniesta; Eidur Gudjohnsen, Ludovic Giuly.
