Bayer 04 Leverkusen stole a march in the Group C standings with a well-earned 2-0 victory at home to FC Zenit.
Given the attacking prowess on both sides there was little danger of a tepid encounter and the two teams set to task in typically positive fashion. Both sets of wide men looked particularly lively, with Hulk and Danny combining well early on for Zenit and Karim Bellarabi and Son Heung-Min incisive for Leverkusen.
Yet for all the high-octane pressing clear-cut chances were kept to a minimum, save for an Emir Spahić header which went wide from a corner. Wendell, in for Tin Jedvaj at left-back for Bayer, did a magnificent job of containing his fellow Brazilian Hulk, who was limited to a thunderous free-kick that was deflated by the wall.
José Rondón has seven goals in the Russian Premier League this season but his threat was conspicuous by its absence and as the half matured it was Leverkusen who continued to gain the upper hand. Edging towards the whistle, it seemed a breakthrough might be forthcoming, only for Yuri Lodygin to keep out Son’s stinging strike with his feet and then get down well to save a Hakan Çalhanoğlu header.
Group C Standings after Matchday 3
Bayer 04 Leverkusen 6
AS Monaco 5
FC Zenit 4
SL Benfica 1
