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.
Bayer 04 are away to Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb on Matchday 5 of the league phase of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. The game kicks off on Thursday 26 November at 18:45 CET at the Maksimir Stadium. All the information on ticket sales.
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It wasn’t just on the pitch that there was cause for celebration around the Werkself’s 2–1 home win against SC Freiburg. Plenty of happy faces could be seen near the dugouts at half-time too. Once again, CEO Fernando Carro, alongside former striker and club ambassador Stefan Kießling, paid tribute to eight supporters’ clubs celebrating up to their 30th anniversary on behalf of Bayer 04.
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It was a match that will live long in the memory of everyone involved: The Bayer 04 U19s celebrated their seventh win in seven matches in the DFB Youth League preliminary round – and yet it was a very special victory indeed: in the 4–3 (1–1) win at VfL Bochum 1848, no fewer than five goals came in the final quarter of an hour. As the 90th minute approached, coach Patrick Greveraars’s side found themselves behind, but then fought back in true ‘Laterkusen’ style.
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Under Carles Martínez, the Werkself have so far proved unbeatable at the BayArena. The Spaniard has led his team to victory in all three of their most recent home matches – and, it's worth noting, without conceding a single goal. On Sunday, 18 October (kick-off: 15:30 CEST / live on DAZN and Werkself Radio), current league leaders SC Freiburg will make the trip to Leverkusen, but will be without their top scorer. What's more, the Werkself have won all three of their previous home matches against the Black Forest club. With a goal, Patrik Schick could not only secure a fourth consecutive victory but also set a memorable record. Meanwhile, on what will be the ‘Health Day' at the BayArena, much of the focus will be on physical wellbeing. Today's matchday news.
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Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04 Women's 1-1 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt on Matchday 7 of the 2026/27 Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga.
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