The glass building at a corner of the stadium looks like the former UEFA Cup and, in fact, that is what it is supposed to represent. Construction on the CSKA Arena started immediately after the biggest triumph in the Moscow club's history in 2005 and the work was finally completed a few weeks ago.
Bayer 04 are the third opponenst in the Champions League here and are looking for a win on Tuesday night (18.00 CET) to take an important, and even decisive, step in the direction of the Round of 16. "We’re in good shape and still unbeaten in the Champions League," said Roger Schmidt at the pre-match press conference. On matchday five of six, if his team urns more points than Tottenham Hotspur in their second group match at AS Monaco then Bayer 04 will be through to the last 16.
And given the two hour time difference in Russia the Werkself can be a step ahead and "really put the opposition under pressure," as sporting director Rudi Völler said at the airport. Regardless of any such calculations, a win would be important to keep Bayer 04's fate in their own hands on the final matchday against Monaco. The match will not be a walk in a Moscow park as CSKA will be keen to use their last chance of reaching the Round of 16. They are now able to call on Alen Dzagoev, the playmaker and goalscorer in the 2-2 draw in Germany. The second goalscorer, Roman Eremenko, is unavailable after being suspended following a positive drugs test.
Personnel update
Talking about personnel: Bayer 04 will have to make do without Stefan Kießling (thigh), and Lars Bender (heel) in the below zero temperatures in the Russian capital. Ömer Toprak, the player at the press conference alongside Schmidt, gave his analysis of the opposition: "Moscow are compact, disciplined and good on the break. We experienced that in the first match and we want to do better tomorrow."
Toprak and Co. were able to get an impression of the steep stands and sweeping roofs of the impressive CSKA Arena when Roger Schmidt led the final pre-match training session. The squad worked for 90 minutes on the hybrid turf to prepare for the being on top form on Tuesday night to move closer to achieving the dream of reaching the Round of 16.
The Werkself are away to Premier League club Chelsea in the final pre-season friendly. The game against the current holders of the UEFA Conference League is on Friday, 8 August at Stamford Bridge with the kick-off at 20:00 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales.
Show moreThe Werkself are away to Dutch top-flight club Fortuna Sittard in the third pre-season friendly. The match is on Friday, 1 August at the Fortuna Sittard stadium with the kick-off at 19:00 CEST. Read on for information on ticket sales.
Show moreThe Werkself are away to VfL Bochum in the second pre-season friendly. The match is on Sunday, 27 July at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion with the kick-off at 18:00 CEST. Read on for the latest information on ticket sales.
Show moreBayer 04 Leverkusen have signed the England U21 international and European champion Jarell Quansah. The central defender joins Leverkusen from Premier League champions Liverpool on a contract to 30 June 2030.
Show moreA striking look and innovative design as an expression of a forward-looking partnership: With the official presentation of the current home jersey, Bayer 04 Leverkusen and sports equipment manufacturer New Balance start a new era in tandem. For the first partnership with a professional German club, the American company from Boston, Massachusetts has developed a creative new interpretation of the Leverkusen club colours. A row of red lines, made up of slender crosses, merges into a black background. Inspired by the world famous Bayer Cross, the jersey is a symbol of a new beginning without forgetting historical roots.
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