AEL of Limassol managed to score one goal and not conceive any against Zenit for the first game of UEFA’s Champions League third qualifying round which took place in Larnaca.
First half found Zenit attacking and AEL mainly defending against a dangerous Hulk. Axel Witsel’s deflected shot and Fegrouche’s goalpost denying Fayzoulin a goal, were the most important chances as Lodygin was a spectator for the first 45 minutes.
Second half went on the same tempo but AEL scored during their first and only visit to Zenit’s post with Giekewicz’s header on the 64′ minute. As that wasn’t enough for Villas Boas’s team, Axel Witsel was shown the red card three minutes later, leaving the Blue-White-Sky-Blues down to ten men.
AEL defended massively, Hulk’s opportunities didn’t bring the equalizer and the Cypriot side celebrated a big win that gives them advantage for next week’s return game in St. Petersburg (Aug 6th).
