CSKA Moskva v Leverkusen: line-ups, where to watch, form guide
Monday, November 21, 2016
Article summary
It is now or never for the Russian hosts as they welcome Leverkusen knowing only victory will preserve their top-two hopes – Alan Dzagoev's return from injury is good timing.
Article top media content
Article body
- Leverkusen through if they avoid defeat and Tottenham lose to Monaco
- Alan Dzagoev poised to return after two months out with injury
- CSKA must win to stay in contention for top-two finish
- CSKA came from two down to draw 2-2 in Germany on matchday one
Possible line-ups
CSKA: Akinfeev; Mário Fernandes, V Berezutski, A Berezutski, Schennikov; Natcho, Golovin, Tošić, Wernbloom, Milanov; Chalov.
Out: Cauņa (ankle), Pomazun (knee), Eremenko (suspended)
Leverkusen: Leno; Henrichs, Toprak, Tah, Wendell; Baumgartlinger, Aránguiz; Brandt, Çalhanoğlu, Kampl; Hernández.
Out: Bender (heel), Kiessling (thigh), Bellarabi (knee)
Where to watch
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here
Leonid Slutski, CSKA coach
Leverkusen's [3-2] defeat by Leipzig was a very physical contest but Bayer are a very quick team in the transition and are very, very aggressive. They make their opponents play at their speed. If you can hold on then the match will be fairly close.
That is what happened in our first game in Leverkusen. We struggled to cope with their speed for the first 15 minutes, and when we finally adapted it was immediately a different game [it finished 2-2].
[Alan] Dzagoev has been training with the rest of the group, getting ready for the match. I don't believe he can last the 90 minutes.
Roger Schmidt, Leverkusen coach
We're in good shape and are still unbeaten in the Champions League. But we haven't achieved anything yet. If we qualify for the next round, it would mean a great deal to the team. It would give us new motivation.
Weekend results
Arsenal Tula 0-1 CSKA Moskva (Milanov 20)
CSKA halted runs of five matches without a victory, and five consecutive away defeats in all competitions, thanks to Georgi Milanov's first-half free-kick.
Leverkusen 2-3 Leipzig (Kampl 1, Brandt 45+2; Baumgartlinger og 4, Forsberg 67, Orban 81)
Julian Brandt set up the first, scored the second and won a 54th-minute penalty that Hakan Çalhanoğlu failed to convert as Leverkusen's three-game winning streak in all competitions ended.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
CSKA: WDLLLD
Leverkusen: LWWWDL
Did you know?
CSKA have lost two of their last three home games in the UEFA Champions League, and have won only one of the last ten at home in the competition proper. Read more in our extensive match background.