No way through for Zenit and Monaco

• Goalless draw leaves Zenit and Monaco level at the Group C summit on four points
• Monaco start strongly but Yuri Lodygin keeps them at bay in the first half
• Zenit respond after half-time but José Rondón cannot turn in several chances
• Visiting substitute Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco comes closest when he hits the post
• Next games: Leverkusen v Zenit, Monaco v Benfica (22 October)

FC Zenit held out in the first half and then came close in the second as they drew 0-0 with fellow UEFA Champions League Group C matchday one winners AS Monaco FC.

Monaco, who returned to the competition with a 1-0 defeat of Bayer 04 Leverkusen a fortnight ago, attacked from the off and Dimitar Berbatov forced a third-minute save from Yuri Lodygin. Lucas Ocampos headed a João Moutinho free-kick wide, and Monaco were causing threats in all areas.

Zenit's spectacular winning start to the season had been ended by FC Dynamo Moskva at the weekend, and missing Axel Witsel they were creating little although José Rondón had a shot blocked by Ricardo Carvalho. Late in the half Lodygin tipped over an Ocampos strike.

Five minutes into the second period Hulk played in Rondón but his shot was weak. Shortly afterwards Rondón could not hook in a cross from the right, and Zenit were now looking the team that won away to SL Benfica, Nicolas Lombaerts so nearly heading past Danijel Subašić.

Monaco responded after the 70th minute, substitute Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco drawing a stop from Lodygin then having his second effort deflected onto the post. Aleksandr Kerzhakov was sent on for Rondón, and his first attempt cannoned into the head of a groggy Carvalho. Kerzhakov had other late chances but time ran out.