Bayer Leverkusen face Lokomotiv Moscow at BayArena on Wednesday, Sept. 18. Here’s all the info you need to watch.
The group stage of the Champions League returns on Wednesday with Bayer Leverkusen hosting Lokomotiv Moscow at BayArena. Leverkusen used a strong second half of the season to finish fourth to the qualify for the Champions League for the first time since the 2016-17 season. Lokomotiv finished second in the Russian Premier Liga to qualify for the Champions League for the second season in a row.
Leverkusen’s decision to hire Peter Bosz two days before Christmas last season completely changed the team’s fortune. Die Werkself won 11 of their final 17 games to qualify for the Champions League.
Kai Havertz looks destined to have a breakout Champions League campaign. Havertz might be the best German player in the world after he scored 20 goals and added seven assists last year. Bosz will deploy Havertz in midfield between the front three, but Havertz will jump forward and join the attack. Leverkusen have a good squad but will likely only go as far as Havertz takes them. If Havertz struggles, Leverkusen could have problems getting the ball to their front three.
Lokomotiv Moscow have qualified for the Champions League five times in club history but have only once made it out of the group stage. In a group with Atletico Madrid and Juventus, it is very unlikely that Lokomotiv Moscow or Bayer Leverkusen get out of the group. Instead, Lokomotiv and Bayer will turn their focus to finishing third and earning a spot in the Europa League knockout stage. Lokomotiv will be shorthanded on Wednesday as they will be without midfield twins Anton and Aleksey Miranchuk, who are both sidelined with injuries. Polish midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak will be a key player for Lokomotiv. Krychowiak leads his club with four goals this season.
The Champions League match between Bayer Leverkusen and Lokomotiv Moscow will be broadcast live online. Live streaming is available on B/R Live, which you can access with your cable or satellite subscription, either online or through their app.
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 18
Start Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
Location: Leverkusen, Germany
Stadium: BayArena
TV info: Online only
Live Stream: B/R Live | Watch live on Fubo.TV. Sign up for a free seven-day trial here.
Wednesday’s game will be the first time that Leverkusen and Lokomotiv play against each other.