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.
Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 4-0 win at Wehen Wiesbaden in the first round of the DFB-Pokal 2026/27...
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Bayer 04 have comfortably reached the DFB Pokal second round thanks to a 4–0 victory away to Liga 3 side SV Wehen Wiesbaden. Patrik Schick put the Werkself ahead in the first 45 in the first competitive match under head coach Carles Martínez with debuts for new signings Miguel Gutiérrez, Afonso Moreira and Facundo Medina. After the break, Lucas Vázquez (47'), Nathan Tella (69') and Christian Kofane (79') also found the back of the net.
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Today brings the first match of the season for the Werkself. Bayer 04 kick off the 2026/27 campaign today, Saturday 22 August, at 13:00 CEST with a first-round DFB Pokal tie away to third-tier side SV Wehen Wiesbaden. The 3,700 travelling fans can not only look forward to what will hopefully be a successful start to the season, but also now organise their journeys to Black and Reds games even more easily via the WERKSELFgo car-share platform. Meanwhile, following two defeats at the start of the league season, SV Wehen are hoping to spring a surprise in the DFB Pokal tie. Today’s matchday news.
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Carolin Simon is the new captain of the Bayer 04 women’s team. The full-back, who joined from Bayern Munich in the summer, will take over the captain’s armband for the 2026/27 season. Simon returned to Leverkusen in the summer after ten years away. The 33-year-old succeeds goalkeeper Friederike Repohl, who retired at the end of last season.
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