FC Barcelona vs. Bayer Leverkusen: 6 Key Battles in Champions League Last 16 Tie

Barcelona has some fantastic individual players, but they will have to overcome some very talented Bayer Leverkusen players in the Champions League Round of 16.

On paper, these two teams are quite different in the overall talent available. Leverkusen can still make things difficult when its first-choice men are available.

With this slideshow, we will look at some of the key battles for battles for this Champions League Round of 16 Tie.

Andres Iniesta vs. Lars Bender

Andres Iniesta's silky dribbling skils and vision are just two of things that make him arguably the best midfielder in the world. Iniesta can unlock a defense in the blink of an eye and Bayer Leverkusen will need to stop him.

This is where Lars Bender comes in.

Bender will definitely be the more mobile of the defensive midfielders Leverkusen puts on the field. Xavi will need to be watched like a hawk, but it would be prudent to place Bender on Iniesta. Iniesta has more pace than Xavi so Bender's stamina and athletic abilities will be necessary to shadow him all day.

Bender's inexperience with such important fixtures and the overall talent of Iniesta may end up being too much, but the young German is the best option to slow down Iniesta.

Michael Ballack vs. Sergio Busquets

I put Ballack here instead of Augusto because of his experience, but either player could be in the attacking midfield position of a likely 4-2-3-1 formation for Leverkusen.

Michael Ballack is no spring chicken, but he is still a very intelligent player. On the other side of things, Sergio Busquets will be busy floating around to help keep Barcelona's possession moving fluidly. Both these players will have to be mindful of each other.

While he will certainly have his share of defensive duties, Ballack may be presented with the task of finding that one quick ball to the forward or that one strike on goal to trouble Barcelona. If he can rattle Busquets and keep him from moving the ball on, it will makes things easier for Leverkusen all over pitch.

Busquets should make sure he closes in on Ballack quickly when Barcelona does not have the ball. The two may be matched up on set pieces as well.

Lionel Messi vs. Centre-Back Pairing

Not much needs to be said about Lioinel Messi. He has the pace, dribbling, trickery and so on to beat any defender on any given day.

The question is: How does Leverkusen contain him? The centre-back pairing of Ömer Toprak and Stefan Reinartz will have to step up and do the job. 

Leverkusen will have its hands full with Messi no matter what, but if Toprak and Reinartz can do a good job positioning themselves properly and communicating with each other, they can slow him down.

Both defenders are young and with no Champions League experience, so it will be tough. They have been part of solid defensive showing at home in the Champions league so that will give them confidence.

The key to them slowing down Messi is to give as much help to each other as possible. If either of them are left alone with the pint-sized Argentinian, there may be trouble.

Michal Kadlec vs. Alexis Sanchez

Michal Kadlec is one of the more experienced players on this Bayer Leverkusen team and he will need all of that experience to help contain Alexis Sanchez.

Kadlec can get forward down the left and put in a good cross or shot, but he will be needed a lot more on the defensive end. Alexis Sanchez certainly won't spend all his time on the right side, but when he is there, he will not be afraid to take on the Czech Republic defender.

Sanchez has been impressive and productive for Barcelona in the last few games and—as the season goes on—he can only get better. Kadlec will need to nullify the Sanchez threat so that Barcelona has one less option to work with.

Dani Alves vs. André Schürrle

Just as Michael Ballack could be swapped for Renato Augosto, André Schürrle could switch with Tranquillo Barnetta, who is currently out with an injury.

Dani Alves loves to roam forward and basically plays as a right winger for Barcelona. With the Blaugrana expecting to dominate possession as usual, Alves will definitely be in an advanced position for a good amount of the two games.

If Alves is not careful, André Schürrle could exploit any space that he leaves. With his pace and energy, Schürrle should be able to help his team on the defensive side of the game and still get up the pitch to threaten Barcelona.

Like many of the Leverkusen players, Schürrle is going up against a much more experienced foe, but his youthful energy could help him surprise his opponent.

Eren Derdiyok vs. Gerard Pique

Eren Derdiyok is Bayer Leverkusen's leading goal scorer right now with nine goals in 20 games. These two should be a little familiar with each other after Switzerland's victory over Spain in last year's World Cup.

Derdiyok is strong and tall enough to give Gerard Pique some problems, but that is only if he gets any chances. These two might face off on set pieces as well and the aerial battle will be quite interesting to watch.

Pique doesn't usually face forwards similar to him in stature, but again, Barcelona may have such a comfortable time that it may not matter. If Leverkusen is to make the tie closer than expected, this will be one of the key battles to watch.