Bayer Leverkusen welcomed Zenit St. Petersburg to the BayArena for this Matchday 3 Champions League clash. The visitors, managed by former Chelsea, Tottenham and Porto manager, Andre Villas-Boas are in fine form domestically; as they sit atop the Russian Premier League after ten games. Leverkusen sit sixth in the Bundesliga, after a start that new boss Roger Schmidt will be content with.
Both sides have had a decent start to their Champions League campaigns; Leverkusen have won one and lost one, whilst Zenit are unbeaten with a win and a draw. Roger Schmidt made three changes going into the match, with Julian Brandt, Roberto Hilbert and Tin Jedvaj replaced by Wendell, Bender and Donati. Villas-Boas on the other hand also made three changes with Witsel, Criscito and Lombaerts all entering the starting eleven.
The first chance of the match fell to Leverkusen and Wendell. The Brazilian fullback linked with Heung Ming Son; who played the youngster in towards the by-line, but Zenit 'keeper Lodygin stopped any danger. The visitors best early chance, fell to Portuguese playmaker Danny, but the Zenit captains near post effort didn't challenge Bernd Leno.
After this, there was a long 25 minute spell were neither side held onto the ball long enough and it looked like we'd drift into halftime goalless. But in a final 7 minute flurry the game came to life. First, the South Korean superstar, Son unleashed a wild effort which forced Lodygin into an unorthodox save. Die Werkself captain, Lars Bender played in a fine cross which summer signing V met well; but his header was well saved by Lodygin again. Zenit replied with a long range effort from the "Incredible" Hulk, which just sneaked past Leno's post.
Into the second half and it looked as if it'd follow the same pattern as the majority of the first half. But it was Leverkusen and Çalhanoğlu who would provide a spark to kick start the game. With both Bender and Hulk down, Leverkusen and that man again Çalhanoğlu decided to play on. The Turk found Donati in acres of space down the right flank. The Italian fullback powered forward before rifling a superb shot past Lodygin; sparking wild celebrations in the BayArena.
Leverkusen were to double their lead in the 63rd minute. Çalhanoğlu whipped in a great ball and substitute, Kyriakos Papadopoulos with his first touch of the game headed past Lodygin. From this point in Leverkusen controlled the game. However there was one bad moment for Leverkusen to follow. In the 79th minute, Wendell received his marching orders for a second bookable offence; Zenit had a man advantage for the last 10 minutes or so. But the Russian side couldn't make their advantage count and Leverkusen held on for a 2-0 victory.
Roger Schmidt’s side now sit top of Group C and will be full of confidence as they travel to Russia in two weeks' time for the reverse fixture. However, for Villas-Boas and Zenit questions must be asked after such a lacklustre performance.