The anticipation is huge. ''We're all so excited about the match against Barcelona,'' said BVB coach Michael Skibbe in advance of the UEFA Youth League opener against the top team from the world-renowned La Masia football academy (Tuesday, 16:00 CET, Youth Performance Centre Brackel). 

The Black & Yellows go into the match full of confidence after wins in their last two Bundesliga matches (6-2 vs. Bielefeld, 2-0 vs. Viktoria Cologne). ''We can definitely cause them problems going forward but, defensively, we face a big challenge against such a strong footballing side,'' says Michael Skibbe.

Young professional Tobias Raschl is a strong addition to the BVB squad. The recently injured trio of Immanuel Pherai, Alaa Bakir and Giovanni Reyna are all back to full fitness and will expect to line up in the starting XI against Barcelona. (wiwi)

Full German language report on the academy website