League win for CSKA
After five games without a win, CSKA Moscow picked up three points on Friday night. Georgi Milanov scored the only goal of the game at Arsenal Tula to put CSKA third in the Russian top-flight behind Spartak Moscow and Zenit St. Petersburg
Tuesday's match against the Werkself in the Champions League (18.00 CET) is crucial for the Russian champions. CSKA Moscow, currently bottom of Group E with two points, have to beat Bayer 04 to maintain the chance of finishing in second or third place. After the 2-2 draw at Leverkusen, CSKA drew 1-1 at home to Monaco and lost 1-0 to Tottenham and 3-0 in Monaco.
One win in last ten UCL home games
CSKA have lost two of their last three home games in the Champions League and only recorded one win in front of their own fans in the last 10 games in this competition.
In the last three seasons, CSKA lost their three home games against teams from Germany. In 2015/16 they went down 2-0 to Wolfsburg in Khimki before losing twice against FC Bayern Munich.
Like Bayer 04, the Russian champions are in the group stages for the fourth time in succession. Last term they finished bottom of their group with one win, one draw and four defeats.
Michael Schade: "A win leaves all options open"
A draw in Moscow would ensure the Werkself finish at least third in the group. If Tottenham lose at Monaco one point would secure second place due to the better results against the English side.
"After the great 1-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium three weeks ago, we want to take another big step in the direction of the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday night," said Bayer 04 CEO Michael Schade. "A win at the Russian champions CSKA Moscow leaves all options open – as predicted – in this balanced group where we could be in a final on 7 December at the BayArena with the chance of winning the group against AS Monaco."
Last win in Russia against Zenit
If the Werkself succeed in reaching the Round of 16 it would be the seventh time Bayer 04 have reached the knockout rounds in eleven Champions League campaigns.
The last time Bayer 04 played a Russian opponent was in the group stage of the Champions League in 2014/15. The Werkself beat FC Zenit St. Petersburg 2-0 at home and 2-1 away.
CSKA Moscow player Roman Eremenko, who scored the equaliser for CSKA in the 2-2 draw at the BayArena, has received a two-year ban from UEFA. After the match in Leverkusen Eremenko tested positive for cocaine.
Bayer 04 and main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer have shown great commitment to the community as the sale of custom-designed T-shirts for charity in the Fanwelt as part of the “BarmeniaGothaer Brings Joy campaign raised a good €5,000. Bayer 04 matched this sum with an equal contribution. As a result, a total of €10,000 was presented to Edmond Tapsoba for his foundation ahead of the home match against Hamburg. The foundation supports people facing challenging daily circumstances in his home country of Burkina Faso.
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Bayer 04 host Hamburg at the BayArena for the first time since September 2017 on the final day of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season on Saturday (15:30 CEST). HSV are safe in their first campaign back in the top flight after back-to-back wins, but Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last 19 games against promoted teams as they go for the victory they need to have a chance to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. There’s also heavy discounts on food and drinks at the BayArena. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the Matchday 34 fixture in our matchday news.
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As well as previously confirmed departures, Bayer 04 Women will also say goodbye to Vanessa Haim and Shen Menglu before Sunday’s final game of the season at home to Werder Bremen as the pair leave Leverkusen upon the expiration of their contracts.
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The last competitive match of the 2025/26 season takes place at the BayArena on Saturday 16 May (kick-off 15:30 CEST), where Hamburger SV are the visitors. At the pre-match press conference, head coach Kasper Hjulmand discussed the mindset and the approach for the crucial final game against HSV, among other topics.
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