The team included under-fire coach Robin Dutt in their celebrations at the end in a show of solidarity, following claims he had lost the faith and respect of some of his players since arriving from Freiburg in the summer.

Ballack told Sky television: "He (Dutt) is the main person responsible as he leads the team, sets us up and of course tells us the way to go.

"Today you could see how he, particularly when we had gone behind, pushed us all forwards, even in the dressing room.

"We are a good team, we have a good coach and we just need good results and self-confidence."

Last night's win was the first step in the right direction and Dutt was delighted with his side's performance against the Spanish giants.

"Of course it is nice when we can all celebrate together because we are a team after all," he said.

"I am particularly delighted for the team, who worked very hard and they showed today that they have the willingness (to win).

"Often, they are being misrepresented. I have been protecting them constantly in recent weeks and I am pleased that they have now paid this back today.

"It can give us a boost to turn around a game against one of Europe's top teams."

The win lifted Leverkusen up to second in Group E, one point behind the leaders Chelsea and four ahead of Valencia, who they meet again in Spain in a fortnight's time.