The Round of 16 – That was the target for Bayer 04 at the start of the campaign and it could be achieved with a game to play. That will happen if the Werkself win at CSKA Moscow and Tottenham fail to pick up more than one point in the other group match at AS Monaco (20.45 CET). A draw would see head coach Roger Schmidt and his team go through to the knock-out rounds if Tottenham lose in Monaco. The simplest formula for this conundrum: One point more than Tottenham will do. The Werkself will only find out after landing at Cologne/Bonn Airport as the plane with the Bayer 04 squad on board will be on the way home when the match in Monaco finishes.
CSKA have to win
Of course, the initial focus is on the Bayer 04 display at the impressive CSKA Arena. And the match promises much in terms of excitement as the the Russian champions from the capital are fighting for survival in the Champions League and that means they definitely need to win. Otherwise, the team coached by Leonard Sluzki, with just two points from four games, will be out of the competition
Incredible record
There is the chance of setting one dismal record right. CSKA have not kept a clean sheet in an unbelievable 26 games in the Champions League and that is the longest such run since the competition was founded. The keeper and club stalwart Igor Akinfeev has not kept a clean sheet in 37 matches. Since 2006 he has conceded at least one goal in every match in Europe’s elite club competition.
Extend the club record
Bayer 04 have also set a record recently but a positive one. The Werkself have not lost any of their last six Champions League games – the longest run in eleven seasons in the competition for Leverkusen. Bayer 04 are also unbeaten after the opening four group matches for the first time and they are with a good chance of being in the competition in the new year.
Live info on the LIVE App
Anybody wanting to follow the game on the move due to the unusually early kick-off can download the Bayer 04 Live App. Ahead of the game, the latest information on the two teams such as the line-ups and formation is available as is the live ticker with all the key match information during the match – live from the CSKA Arena.
Download at: bit.ly/b04live
All the news from Moscow
Using the hashtag #CSKAB04 fans can follow all the information and stories on the Werkself trip to Moscow on the social media Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat. It’s worth logging on before kick-off.
Group E table
1. AS Monaco (8 pts)
2. Bayer 04 (6 pts)
3. Tottenham (4 pts)
4.CSKA Moscow (2 pts)
Info for our supporters in Moscow: Bayer 04 have arranged for coaches to take Werkself fans from the CSKA Arena to the city centre after the game to enable them to continue their homeward journey from there safely. There will be a tour guide on every coach to provide travel information for onward journeys.
After a run of seven games unbeaten in all competitions, the Werkself suffered a 1-0 defeat at FC Union Berlin despite their best efforts. Captain Robert Andrich, who took responsibility for the goal, said after the match: "Now we have to focus on not losing our heads even in difficult situations. That has always made us strong in the past." The Werkself review.
Show more
Bayer 04 were beaten 1-0 away at Union Berlin on Matchday 23 in the Bundesliga. Kasper Hjulmand’s side struggled to create clear chances, while the hosts struck the only goal of the game through Rani Khedira in the 28th minute.
Show more
Sandwiched between their UEFA Champions League knockout play-off tie against Olympiacos, Bayer 04 return to Bundesliga action on Saturday with a trip to Union Berlin (kick-off: 15:30 CET). It’s a fixture of contrasting styles, with Leverkusen preferring to control the play while Union look to remain compact and counter. The Berliners are therefore suited to facing top teams, but they have only ever managed to win one of 16 meetings with the Werkself, who are looking for a fifth clean sheet of 2026 but will need to beware the home side’s threat from set pieces. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
Show more
After six wins in seven games, the Werkself will be looking to continue their winning run in the capital at FC Union Berlin. Coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke ahead of the match on Saturday, 21 February (kick-off: 15:30 CET) about defenders, the short preparation time and the condition of the pitch at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.
Show more
