Last tango in Paris
Bayer Leverkusen will resist the option of fielding a second-string team despite taking an almost insurmountable 4-0 deficit to Paris St Germain on Wednesday for their Champions League last-16 second leg.
"We cannot just throw this game away because otherwise we can go ahead and send the Under-23 team," Leverkusen coach Sami Hyypia told reporters.
"I am really looking forward to the game and every player should feel the same."
The former Liverpool defender's team have been struggling since the winter break, a German Cup exit to second division Kaiserslautern last month followed by three straight Bundesliga defeats.
"This is a challenge and we have to put in a good performance. I am a fighter and I hope my team has the same approach," said Finn Hyypia.
Leverkusen are without midfielder Jens Hegeler who tore ankle ligaments in the 1-1 draw against Hanover 96 on Saturday and is out for the rest of the season.
"As far as the Champions League is concerned we are out," said keeper Bernd Leno who saved a penalty and was outstanding against Hanover. "But that does not mean we want to go and get slaughtered in Paris."
FACTFILE
Coaches
Paris Saint-Germain - Laurent Blanc (FRA) 48 yrs
Bayer Leverkusen - Sami Hyypia (FIN) 40 yrs
Leading scorers in all competitions
Paris Saint-Germain - Zlatan Ibrahimovic (38 goals)
Bayer Leverkusen - Stefan Kiessling (14 goals)
Domestic league performance
Paris Saint-Germain - Top of Ligue 1, eight points clear of Monaco
Bayer Leverkusen - Third in Bundesliga, 24 points behind leaders Bayern Munich
Group stage performances
Paris Saint-Germain - winners of Group C ahead of Olympiakos
Bayer Leverkusen - second in Group A behind Manchester United
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