Leverkusen lifted as Lyon and CSKA suffer

Bayer 04 Leverkusen fared the best of the nine UEFA Champions League hopefuls in domestic action on Friday with both French and Russian contenders failing to emerge victorious.

Leverkusen host Group E leaders Chelsea FC on Wednesday knowing a win will lift them above the London side, and their preparation was perfect as they triumphed 2-0 at 1. FC Kaiserslautern to move sixth in the Bundesliga. Michael Ballack (53) broke the deadlock before Sidney Sam (70) sealed their success.

Olympique Lyonnais dropped to fifth in France after a 2-1 home reverse against Stade Rennais FC. Ederson (36) gave Rémi Garde's men the lead but Jonathan Pitroipa levelled three minutes later and Jires Kembo-Ekoko completed the turnaround after the break. Lyon can draw level with second-placed AFC Ajax in Group D if they win at home against the Dutch side on Tuesday.

Fellow countrymen LOSC Lille Métropole, who are still looking for their first win in Group B, remain third in Ligue 1 but could only muster a goalless draw at Toulouse FC. Lille are away to PFC CKSA Moskva on Tuesday, and the Russian side head into that meeting off the back of a 2-1 reverse at home against FC Rubin Kazan.

FC Zenit St Petersburg can move top of Group G if they beat APOEL FC on Wednesday but they warmed up for that meeting with a 0-0 draw versus FC Anzhi Makhachkala. Trabzonspor AŞ, who will be hoping to repeat their matchday one win against Group B leaders FC Internazionale Milano when they meet in Turkey, were also held, drawing 1-1 at Mersin İdman Yurdu.

There was better news for the two sides that only have a UEFA Europa League berth to play for after four straight European defeats. GNK Dinamo Zagreb cruised to a 3-0 win at RNK Split and a ten-point lead in Croatia while FC Oţelul Galaţi earned a fourth consecutive league victory by edging FC Sportul Studenţesc Bucureşti 1-0.