Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Michael Ballack has been deprived of a possible start in Tuesday's Champions League tie with Barcelona due to an injury picked up in training.
The former Germany captain has sat on the bench for Leverkusen's last three Bundesliga matches, but the 35-year-old was expected to be called upon due to his vast European experience.
His absence deprives Leverkusen of an influential figure at the BayArena where their chances are already regarded as being low, Leverkusen's director of sport Rudi Voller, smiling, admitted: "They are not a bad side."
He added: "We have been looking forward to this game for weeks, for the fans and for our young players who will play against the best side in the world. This is definitely a dream."
After losing for the sixth time in the league at the weekend, Voller is hoping his side can use the game as a learning exercise.
"Of course we will try to cause Barca problems," he is quoted as saying by Die Welt newspaper.
"Usually, when you watch them, you say to yourself 'my word, they play good football'.
"It is great for the players to experience in the flesh how they do it and why they are so good."
Bayer coach Robin Dutt is not being so pessimistic, though, and feels his side have a chance against the Catalans.
"Nobody has ever believed in us in the Champions League," he said. "We went behind twice - to Valencia and to Chelsea - and in the end, the winners were Bayer Leverkusen."