In 2002, with the likes of Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Ballack and Carsten Ramelow among their ranks, Bayer Leverkusen reached the final of the Champions League at Hampden Park, where they were eventually defeated by Real Madrid.

Since then, the German club have never gone beyond the last 16 of the competition, although they have an opportunity to end that 12-year wait with a two-legged contest against Paris Saint-Germain, the first of which will take place at the BayArena on Tuesday night.

Leverkusen can take heart from the fact that they have never been knocked out of a European tournament by a French side, although all three of their successes were recorded in the UEFA Cup.

In terms of personnel, Leverkusen head coach Sami Hyypia will be without midfielder Emre Can because of suspension, while defender Sebastian Boenisch is regarded as a doubt with a back injury.

As for visiting PSG, they have been dealt a blow with the news that Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani will miss the trip with a hamstring injury that he picked up earlier this month.

Calf and back problems may also keep out Zoumana Camara and Christophe Jallet respectively, but that aside, manager Laurent Blanc has no other absentees.

PSG, who reached the quarter-finals last season before being knocked out by Barcelona, have lost three of their six meetings with clubs from the Bundesliga.

Recent form

Leverkusen: LLLWWL

PSG: WWDWDW

Possible starting lineups

Leverkusen: Leno; Hilbert, Boenisch, Spahic, Wollscheid; Rolfes, Bender, Helger; Castro, Kiessling, Son

PSG: Sirigu; Maxwell, Alex, Silva, Van der Wiel; Matuidi, Motta; Pastore, Verratti, Lucas; Ibrahimovic

Sports Mole says: 1-2

Previews by email