Rosenborg vs Leverkusen Preview

Posted Wednesday, December 01, 2010 by ESPN

Rosenborg vs Leverkusen Preview Bayer Leverkusen coach Jupp Heynckes has opted to leave captain Simon Rolfes in Germany rather than expose him to freezing temperatures.

Rolfes has only recently made his comeback from injury after six months on the sidelines and Heynckes does not want to risk him suffering a relapse in what are likely to be difficult conditions against Rosenborg.

"We are going to have very difficult pitch conditions and will have to train on an artificial pitch and that is obviously dangerous for his operated knee," said the Leverkusen coach on his club's website.

"I would rather not take any risk with him."

Leverkusen need just a point to secure their place in the knockout stages of the Europa League along with fellow Bundesliga side Stuttgart, who have already secured their passage with two games to go.

Leverkusen are also keen to turn the page after losing ground on Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund by conceding a penalty deep into stoppage time to only draw 2-2 with Hoffenheim on Saturday.

"We must move on," said the club's director of sport Rudi Voller. "We want to get the point that takes us through."

With the temperatures dropping to minus 20 in recent nights, the biggest fight on Rosenborg's hands has been ensuring the pitch will be playable tomorrow night.

The underground heating system alone is unable to cope with such low temperatures and has created condensation on the surface, which is why a huge tarpaulin inflated by hot air has been spread across the pitch at the Lerkendal Stadion, ensuring tomorrow night's game will go ahead.

"We have 20 degrees underneath the tarpaulin and no condensation," explained their groundsman Anders Oien on their website.

"We have done half of the pitch and seen that it works so the pitch will in any case be ready for battle."

Only a win can keep Rosenborg in the frame for qualification, but they would then also have to succeed against Aris Thessaloniki in their final group game and hope for a favourable result from Leverkusen's final match with Atletico Madrid.

Considering Rosenborg lost 4-0 in Germany in September, they are not likely to be able to rely upon their head-to-head record with the Bundesliga side should they end the group level on points.