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.
Edmond Tapsoba has signed an early extension to his contract with Bayer 04 Leverkusen. With two years left on his current deal, the 27-year-old Burkina Faso international has extended his contract until 30 June 2031. The centre-back joined as a young talent from Portuguese top-flight club Vitoria Guimaraes at the start of 2020.
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A special surprise: during the preview for the 'Fierté Burkinabè' documentary about Edmond Tapsoba, Bayer 04 directors Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes announced Tapsoba's contract extension until 2031 together with the centre-back. He then spoke to Werkself-TV about his time in Leverkusen so far and future ambitions...
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This evening was deeply moving: At a really special setting, Bayer 04 exclusively presented the specially produced documentary ‘Fierté Burkinabè’ ("Burkinabe Pride") about Edmond Tapsoba on Tuesday. For the preview at the BayArena, the parents of the Werkself player and other close companions travelled all the way from his African homeland Burkina Faso. The 45-minute film shows Tapsoba's extraordinary career from his beginnings in Ouagadougou to Leverkusen as well as the work of his foundation "Fondation Edmond Tapsoba", with representatives from Burkina Faso also present. Fans can watch the documentary free of charge on Werkself TV and YouTube from Wednesday night at 20:00 CEST.
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Bayer 04 have signed left-back Carolin Simon from champions Bayern Munich for the coming season. The 33-year-old former Germany international, who played for Leverkusen from 2013 to 2016, has signed a contract to 30 June 2028.
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Bayer 04 Women have strengthened for the coming season with the signing of Lobke Loone. The 23-year-old Dutch striker joins from Utrecht on a contract until 30 June 2028.
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