Genk vs Bayer Leverkusen preview - Dutt - Job not done

Posted Tuesday, December 06, 2011 by PA

Bayer Leverkusen coach Robin Dutt insists his team still have work to do when they travel to Genk despite having already booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

A win in Belgium would seal top spot in Group E and give Leverkusen the advantage of staging the second leg of their last-16 encounter at their BayArena home, while theoretically it should increase their chances of meeting a lesser opponent in the next round.

With that in mind, Dutt has set his sights on a victory to wrap up their group stage.

"We definitely want to finish top of our group," he said at a press conference.

"I would say the chances of qualifying for the quarter-finals are 20 to 30% greater if you finish top of your group.

"Furthermore, winning the group would send out a clear sign to our rivals."

However, Dutt has warned not to expect a walk in the park in Genk, even if their bottom-placed opponents have nothing to play for in terms of staying in Europe in the new year.

"We cannot be euphoric and run into a trap on the counter-attack," he added.

"For Genk, the group is already over so that could make them dangerous."

Renato Augusto and Tranquillo Barnetta will not make the trip due to injury, but Omer Toprak returns.

Genk will be playing for pride at the KRC Genk Arena, especially after losing their last pool game 7-0 in Valencia.

"This is indeed our last European game," said their coach Mario Been, who recently signed a new contract.

"We have fallen short of our expectations away, but at home we have shown that we are a match.

"Our task is now to preserve our reputation at home and give ourselves something to build on in our coming matches.

"I believe we can get a good result. Furthermore, a win would earn the club a lot of money.

"I am counting on my players to show pride and forget about the 5-0 and 7-0 defeats."

Been is without the injured Kevin De Bruyne, who will be replaced by Anthony Limbombe.

De Bruyne could also miss the league game against Lierse at the weekend and Been already has an eye on that game.

"The league is more important to us than the Champions League and a good result against Leverkusen can give us a big boost," he said at a press conference.

"Winning is always the best medicine."