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.
Bayer 04 will round off their 2026/27 pre-season preparations with a friendly against Premier League side Newcastle United. The match against the side featuring German internationals Malik Thiaw and Nick Woltemade will take place on Saturday 15 August (kick-off: 4 pm German time/3 pm local time) at St James’ Park. Werkself-TV will stream the match live in full and free of charge after logging in from 3.50 pm...
After the 2-1 defeat at Premier League club Nottingham Forest the night before, it was straight back to work for the Werkself at midday on Thursday with an intensive training session in hot temperatures at the hosts' training ground.
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The Werkself suffered a first defeat in the current pre-season fixtures. The sixth friendly of the summer ended in 2-1 reverse at Premier League Nottingham Forest. The English side took an early lead (4’) but Patrik Schick levelled just after the half-hour mark (32’). Nothing much happened after that, and the match looked set to end in a draw. However, the hosts managed to score the winning goal late on (90').
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have loaned U19 midfielder Jeremiah Mensah to Dutch second-tier side Roda JC Kerkrade for one year. The 18-year-old Germany youth international has a long-term contract at the club to 2031.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH has taken note of the final, non-binding statement issued by the Bundeskartellamt regarding the 50+1 rule and its application, and will now examine it carefully.
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