Recent results in Russia’s top flight have not been positive for Lokomotiv Moscow: A 3-0 home defeat in the derby against Spartak led by new coach Domenico Tedesco (formerly at Schalke 04) was followed by two 1-1 draws at FK Ufa and at home to FK Krasnodar. However, the last league match ahead of the Champions League game ended in a 3-2 win at newcomers FK Tambov.
The team from the Russian capital have lost the last three games in the Champions League: They went down home and way against Juventus with 2-1 defeats both times and Atlético Madrid beat them 2-0. Like the Werkself, Lokomotiv Moscow are under pressure as they battle for a place in the knockout stages of a European competition. The clash for third place and associated qualification for the Europa League means there is lot resting on this game for both teams. The maxim: Avoid defeat!
That proposition for the hosts is made more difficult by the absence of key players: The former Bundesliga player Jefferson Farfan, the Inter loanee Joao Mario and striker Luka Djordjevic are all likely to be ruled out. In contrast, Yuri Semin, the 72-year-old Lokomotiv head coach, does have other star performers available such as central striker Fedor Smolov and the Miranchuk twins.
The team’s current top scorer is not a striker but more of a number six: He is Grzegorz Krychowiak. The 29-year-old Poland international was signed from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer and he has already found the back of the net eight times – more than any of his team-mates in more attacking positions. He netted a brace in the game against FK Tambov.
Lokomotiv are currently second in the Russian top flight behind leaders Zenit St. Petersburg. There is a five-point gap between the domestic cup holders from Moscow and the league leaders after 17 games. There are three clubs bunched together on 30 points behind Lokomotiv: CSKA Moscow, FK Rostov and FK Krasnodar – that is four points less than Bayer 04’s next opponents.
A group of about 50 members of the Bayer 04 Football Academy São Paulo visited Leverkusen over the past few days, accompanied by Bayer 04 club legend Paulo Sergio and Luiz Felipe (managing director of academy in São Paulo) for a week full of football, encounters and very special insights. In addition to the Bundesliga away game in Elversberg and the home game against Union Berlin, the visit also featured a joint training session with the Bayer 04 Football Academy in Leverkusen and a tour of the Bayer AG facilities. The guests also gained special insights into the club and the world of Bayer 04.
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The men's clothing retailer LERROS will remain the official fashion and premium partner of Bayer 04 for the current season. As in the past, LERROS will provide the club's men's team, coaching staff and management with high-quality clothing for international trips.
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“Diaby! Diaby! Diaby!” was the cry around the BayArena as the Werkself danced in front of the north stand following their 4-0 win over Union Berlin. Captain Edmond Tapsoba gave his new (and old) teammate a friendly shove forward to take in the acclaim from the fans. The returning Frenchman was typically reserved in thanking the supporters but was clearly emotional about what was happening.
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Bayer 04 produced a dominant and impressive 4-0 win over Union Berlin as they picked up three points in their first home game of the 2026/27 Bundesliga campaign. Exequiel Fernández opened the scoring after only 41 seconds, with Facundo Medina doubling the lead before the half-hour mark. Patrik Schick and Ibrahim Maza continued the procession in the second period, in which Moussa Diaby came on for his first Leverkusen appearance for over three years.
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