Match Previews

Demoralizing 1-4 home defeat against Bochum in the league.... qualification looks "mission impossible"after 0-3 home loss in first leg.... Leverkusen remain winless for 15 away games in European competitions.... coach Skibbe announced to rotate several players.... upcoming Bundesliga game has priority.... Juan (k) out injured.... Haggui (r) drops to the bench.... Bayer Leverkusen, who were flying high just 1 week ago, have been hit hard by reality as they followed up their 0-3 home defeat against Osasuna in the first leg of the Uefa Cup with a demoralizing 1-4 home loss against lowly Bochum in the Bundesliga. It looks like Leverkusen are losing their targets within 1 week as the team more or less disintegrated against Bochum as the visitors took a stunning 0-3 lead within half an hour. Sports director Völler and coach Skibbe openly criticized their team afterward and Skibbe announced to rotate several players for this upcoming 2nd leg away to Osasuna which indicates that Leverkusen are basically treating qualification to the next round as a "mission impossible". No line-up has been announced yet, but indications are that key defender Juan (k), who looked unmotivated again Bochum, will be one of the more prominent rotation victims for now as Callsen-Bracker (r) or Madouni (sp) look set to replace him. German internationals Schneider (k) and Kiessling (r) on the other hand will surely stay in the starting line-up since they are suspended for next weeks Bundesliga game away at Bayern Munchen, which clearly has priority for Leverkusen above this mid-week game at Osasuna. History in away games in European competitions also speaks massively against Leverkusen as they failed to win on their last 15 travels in Europe. Latest team news confirms that coach Skibbe will rotate several regulars as both regular central defenders Juan (k) and Haggui (r) won't start the game. Juan (k) is officially injured and has not made the trip, while Haggui (r) drops to the bench as Skibbe will start with the inexperienced couple Callsen-Bracker (sp) and Madouni (sp). Furthermore regular midfielders  Rolfes (r) and Barnetta (r) look likely to start from the bench as Athirson (sp) and Schwegler (sp) will start the game as all these personal changes basically indicate that Leverkusen have already given up their hope on performing a "miracle" away at Osasuna.