Champions League: Upbeat Hyypia looks to start a Leverkusen recovery

PSG v Bayer Leverkusen

This is not a good time to be a Leverkusen fan and an even worse time to be Leverkusen coach.

But Sami Hyypia believes the 4-0 thumping at the hands of PSG and a crushing five-game losing streak is exactly what he needs to progess his fledgling coaching career.

The former Liverpool defender is determined to use the second leg to his advantage and wants his players to prove their worth in France.

He said: “We won’t just throw away the game, otherwise I would have sent the Under-23 squad,” insisted the 40-year-old.

“This is a great opportunity for one or two players to show what they can do.”

Unfortunately for him, after PSG, his team face all-conquering Bayern Munich in the league.

But Hyypia refuses to be too downcast and revealed he has been ringing around for advice on how to deal with the situation.

“This [PSG]  is a good challenge for us to show we are strong.

“My coaching career is not very long and this is the first time that I’m stuck in such a situation.

“Of course I’ve asked many people for advice as to what I can do. I want to develop myself and without this situation that development would progress slower.”

PSG coach Laurent Blanc remains wary that the job is only half done.

He told a pre-match press conference: “You always have to be demanding with your team.

“In the Champions League, qualification is decided in the second match. For now, we don’t have it yet so we have to see through qualification.

“Whoever plays, we have the desire to win. That’s important because the biggest teams, even when going through difficult periods, they need to concentrate.”