Bayer Leverkusen vs CSKA Moscow Champions League Preview

Bayer Leverkusen vs CSKA Moscow Champions League Preview

Wednesday’s match, Bayer Leverkusen vs CSKA Moscow at the BayArena in Leverkusen, will mark the first time the two clubs will meet in Champions League history. The Russian champion CSKA Moscow, however, are no strangers to travelling to Germany.

Last season CSKA Moscow (read CSKA Moscow’s full Champions League preview here) were drawn into a group with VfL Wolfsburg and, two seasons before, the club were drawn in a group with Germany’s biggest club, Bayern München. CSKA Moscow were also drawn in a group with Wolfsburg in 2009-10 (one loss, and one victory), and Hamburg in 2006-07 (one loss, and one victory).

Hence, while the Russians have never played Bayer Leverkusen before, they have plenty of experience when it comes to be playing on German soil. At the same time, however, CSKA’s recent record against German teams has been dismal, and there is little indication that the Army Men can improve their record when they travel to Leverkusen next week.

Leverkusen lost their season opener against Borussia Mönchengladbach, but had a strong showing against Hamburger SV on match day two of the Bundesliga, as the young Finnish sensation Joel Pohjanpalo managed to score three goals. Indeed, Leverkusen are tipped by many, as a potential title challenger in Germany.

Indeed, head coach, Roger Schmidt, and sporting director, Rudi Völler, have assembled a formidable squad this year. The club managed to sign the exciting 24-year-old striker Kevin Volland, who could miss the game with a broken hand, for €20 million from league rivals TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, and also brought in defensive midfielder, Julian Baumgartlinger, from 1. FSV Mainz.

But, more importantly, the club was able to fight off offers for defender, Ömer Toprak, who was tempted with a move to Borussia Dortmund, and Javi “Chicharito” Hernández, who seemed tempted by a move to England or Spain—he returned to action after being out with a broken hand on Saturday. Instead, Leverkusen kept their squad together, and look like a serious contender both in Germany and in Europe.

CSKA Moscow, meanwhile, have lost key striker, Ahmed Musa, who left for Leicester City and, while Leonid Slutsky tried to bring in a replacement for the fast striker, CSKA were unable to land a much needed striker by the transfer deadline.

Instead, Slutsky will have to rely on the Ivorian striker, Lacina Traoré, who is on a loan deal from AS Monaco FC, and the 20-year-old Swedish striker, Carlos Strandberg. Strandberg was signed in February 2015 from BK Häcken but, so far, has failed to impress in the Russian capital. Loan moves to Ural, and AIK Solna in Sweden, offered him some much needed playing time, but it remains to be seen whether he can make the cut at CSKA.

Indeed, there seems to be a bit of uncertainty about CSKA Moscow these days, as manager Leonid Slutsky, who managed both Russia and CSKA Moscow last season, appears to be weakened by Russia’s traumatizing performance at the European Championships in France. Slutsky’s main failure in France was his inability to reinvigorate an aging squad, and to integrate younger players.

Slutsky has since stepped down from his role with the Sbornaya, but it remains to be seen whether his conservative approach toward football, and his belief in fielding players he trusts, will also eventually backfire at the club level.

In any case, Bayer Leverkusen will be clear cut favourites when the match kicks off on Wednesday evening.

Possible Line-ups

Bayer Leverkusen:

Formation: 4-4-2

Leno – Wendell, Tah, Toprak, Jedvaj – Baumgartlinger, Aránguiz – Kampl, Calhanoglu – Pohjanpalo, Chicharito

Manager: Roger Schmidt

CSKA Moscow:

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Akinfeev – Schennikov, V. Berezutski, Ignashevich, Mário Fernandes – Wernbloom, Dzagoev – Golovin, Eremenko, Tosić – Traoré

Manager: Leonid Slutsky

By Manuel Veth –

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