Both FC Zenit and Bayer 04 Leverkusen are well placed to maintain a challenge for the qualifying positions in Group C ahead of their matchday three meeting.
Just a single point separates Group C’s three leading teams and both FC Zenit and Bayer 04 Leverkusen will be looking to strengthen their challenge when they meet on matchday three.
Zenit
• Zenit’s 2-1 win at Borussia Dortmund in last season’s round of 16 was their third victory in their last five visits to Germany (the other two matches were drawn), although a 4-2 home defeat meant they exited the competition.
• Before 2007/08, Zenit had not defeated a German club in European competition, but under Dutch coach Dick Advocaat they played five games against Bundesliga sides on their way to lifting the UEFA Cup.
• They first drew 2-2 at home to 1. FC Nürnberg in the group stage and then, after overcoming Leverkusen, drew 1-1 at FC Bayern München before a 4-0 victory at Stadion Petrovski.
• Zenit are in their fifth group stage campaign. Last season they finished second with six points – the lowest total for a team progressing in UEFA Champions League history – to qualify for the knock-out rounds for only the second time.
• They won 2-0 at Benfica on matchday one and two weeks later drew 0-0 at home to Monaco.
