AS Monaco have boosted their chances of reaching the knockout stage of the Champions League with a 1-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen at the BayArena this evening.
The Bundesliga side dominated the match, but their Group C rivals, who won the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign, scored with their only on-target effort of the night.
The result leaves the Ligue 1 side just a point behind the German club with one group matchday still to come.
Read how all the action unfolded below:
Good evening! Bayer Leverkusen will to hoping to secure their place in the knockout stage of the Champions League this evening as they host French club AS Monaco. Let's start with a looks at the teams...
LEVERKUSEN STARTING XI Leno, Spahic, Wendell, Toprak, Donati, Bender, Calhanoglu, Castro, Bellarabi, Son, Kiessling
MONACO STARTING XI: Subasic, Abdennour, Carvalho, Elderson, Raggi, Dirar, Moutinho, Bakayoko, Toulalan, Berbatov, Ferreira-Carrasco
LEVERKUSEN SUBSTITUTES: Kresic, Hilbert, Jedvaj, Boenisch, Rolfes, Drmic, Brandt
MONACO SUBSTITUTES: Maarten, Fabinho, Silva, Kondogbia, Ocampos, Germain, Traore
Wendell is straight back into the starting lineup for the hosts after serving a suspension last time out, but Stefan Reinartz misses out through injury.
For the visitors, Aymen Abdennour is in the starting lineup, having returned from a thigh injury during the international break earlier this month. Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco, Carvalho and Jeremy Toulalan all start, despite being a booking away from a suspension.
The other clubs in Group C have already played this evening, with Zenit St Petersburg beating Benfica to move above Monaco in the group. A win for the French side this evening though will be enough for them to jump back up.
Ahead of kickoff, Leverkusen coach Roger Schmidt said: "After the match in Monaco we were in a difficult situation. This has changed and we're leading the group. We will try everything to play a top-level match, but it will be difficult as Monaco have only conceded one goal."
Meanwhile, Monaco's Leonard Jardim said in his pre-match press conference: "We are very motivated to get a result that could leave us poised to qualify for the next stage. We want to have chances to qualify on the last matchday, that's it. I am not thinking about the other group match."
Since their meeting in the first match of the group stage, which Monaco won 1-0, these two side's campaigns have gone in opposite directions. Monaco have struggled for form, having not scored since that outing, although they did pick up two points in goalless draws against Zenit and Benfica. The Ligue 1 side have not scored in their last five matches away from home in this competition.
By contrast, Leverkusen's defeat to Monaco has been their only slip in Group C, with a 3-1 win over Benfica before 2-0 and 2-1 victories against Zenit, leaving them two points clear of the Russians, who have played a game more.
Here's a shot of Leverkusen's goalkeepers and the club's goalkeeping coach warming up ready for kickoff:
Das Torwart-Trio bestehend aus #Leno, #Kresic und Torwarttrainer #Thiel sind bereits auf dem Rasen. pic.twitter.com/JTdxNJS8jG
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04fussball) November 26, 2014
Leverkusen have made it out of the groups in their last six Champions League campaigns, dating back to 2006. On two of those six occasions, the Bundesliga side have reached the quarter-finals twice. They're also former finalists, having lost out to Real Madrid in 2002.
This is Monaco's first season in the Champions League since 2005-06, when they were knocked out in the first qualifying round. That came just two seasons after they featured in the final, where they lost to Jose Mourinho's Porto side.
The two club's under-19 side's played each other earlier today. Leverkusen will be hoping that that fixture is a sign of things to come this evening, as the German side's youngsters cruised to a 4-0 win.
REFEREE WATCH! Italian official Paolo Tagliavento is in charge of this evening's match. The 42-year-old has overseen 20 Champions League matches previously.
PREDICTION! The players will be heading out shortly, so there's just time for a prediction. Leverkusen only need to avoid the defeat to make sure of their place in the knockout stage, but have named a fairly strong lineup for this match. I'm going for a 2-0 home win.
One player who will surely have an added incentive to get on the scoresheet this evening will be Monaco's Dimitar Berbatov. The Bulgarian has not scored since August, and started his career with Leverkusen.
Unsurprisingly, it's a packed BayArena this evening, and the crowd is in fine voice as they sing and wave their flags in anticipation of kickoff.
The players are in the tunnel ready to make their way out. Before the action gets underway, the Champions League anthem will be played, and both sides will pose for a photo as part of UEFA's 'No to Racism' campaign.
KICKOFF! Leverkusen get the match underway!
CHANCE! Subasic has to make an early save as Kiessling pulls the ball back for Hakan Calhanoglu, whose finish is deflected, but the Monaco keeper watches it well and makes the stop.
Monaco win a free kick when Omer Toprak takes Berbatov to the ground. Ferreira-Carrasco tries to launch it deep for the visitors to try and put Leverkusen under pressure, but it comes to nothing.
Toprak and Berbatov clash again, and this time it's the defender who comes off worst after taking a flailing arm to the face from the striker. He makes his way to the sideline clearly in some pain, but it looks like he'll be continuing.
Leverkusen have been seeing the majority of the ball in the last couple of minutes, but have not really been able to put their opponents under any real pressure yet., However, Dirar trips Wendell out wide on the edge of the box to give away a free kick in a dangerous position.
CHANCE! Toulalan turns the ball behind for a corner from the free kick, but the visitors are caught out when Son takes it short, leving Castro to attempt a love drive from the edge of the area, but his finish is just wide.
There's an injury concern for Yannick Ferreira Carrasco as he's taken out by Donati. The Leverkuser midfielder is probably a bit lucky to get away without a card as the tackle was late and two-footed, but the referee just gives the free kick. The Monaco striker stays down for a couple of minutes clutching his knee before limping back on.
CHANCE! Leverkusen have been the only team to create anything so far, and they're in again as Wendell loses his defender on the edge of the box before hitting a shot on the half-volley, but it was well wide.
Leverkusen are really starting to dominate as Son plays the ball in for Calhanoglu, but the striker's effort was blocked by Carvalho.
CHANCE! Calhanoglu is in again, but Subasic is left with an easy save as the striker's header from a Donati ball lacks any real power. Calhanoglu isn't known for his heading, but that really wasn't a great effort.
CHANCE! Subasic continues to frustrate Calhanoglu as the forward lines up a free kick from over 30 yards out after Dirar brought down the striker. His curling effort was well struck, but from that distance Subasic was always the favourite.
CHANCE! Leverkusen have really hit their stride in the last few minutes as Subasic comes under pressure again, but this time Bender takes the shot, and fails to clear his own teammate, as Son accidentally blocks it.
Monaco just can't get out of their own half at the minute! Son tries to make amends for blocking Bender's effort, but he's denied by Carvalho, before it's put behind for a corner.
OFF THE BAR! Monaco clear the initial threat from the corner, but Lars Bender is ready to pick it up, and unleashes a powerful strike from just inside the box, which appears to beat Subasic, but it's kept out by the woodwork.
BOOKING! Emir Spahic has the first yellow card of the evening after clattering into Ferreira-Carrasco, who has looked the only threat for the visitors so far this evening.
CHANCE! Even Berbatov is having to help out at the back to try and keep Leverkusen out. The striker manages to deflect Toprak's chip behind for a corner though.
Both sides have started to get a little untidy in the last couple of minutes, with both teams giving away a string of free kicks, but neither manages to put their opponent under pressure from the set pieces.
Dirar wants a free kick after he's wrestled to the ground by Toprak, but the referee gives the decision to the hosts, claiming that the winger had handled the ball. There was plenty of shoving, but Dirar certainly tried to make the most of it.
Dirar is involved in another physical clash, but this time he's the one inflicting the damage, elbowing Spahic in the face while battling for a high ball. Spahic wants the Monaco man booked, but the referee keeps his cards in his pocket.
CHANCE! Leverkusen win a free kick, and they try a rather elaborate training ground routine, with Castro pulling it wide left for Son to lift high in for Calhanoglu, but once again the striker is let down by a weak header.
BOOKING! Ricardo Carvalho goes in the book for a handball, which means that the defender will miss Monaco's final group game against Zenit next month.
Calhanoglu lines up the free kick as a result of the handball, but he fails to clear the wall. The striker has been a constant threat in the opening 45 minutes, but just doesn't seem to quite have his final touch right this evening.
Monaco try to finish the half strongly, with Ferreira-Carrasco running at the Leverkusen defenders, but he can't set anything up for the Ligue 1 side.
CHANCE! The hosts have a free kick just outside the box right at the end of the half, which Calhanoglu curls end, but Kiessling's powerful header is a fraction high.
HALF TIME: Bayer Leverkusen 0-0 AS Monaco
So Bayer Leverkusen have dominated so far, but are unable to open the scoring before the half-time whistle as the two sides head into the interval goalless.
Let's take a look at some at the stats from the opening 45 minutes. Leverkusen have had almost twice as much of the ball as their opponents, with 64% to Monaco's 36%. The hosts have also had 13 shots, with three on target, while Monaco have had just one wide effort.
Both sides had a player booked in the first half. The yellow card for Carvalho is a particular concern for the visitors, as it means he'll miss what looks increasingly like being a shootout against Zenit for the final last 16 spot in Group C.
Incidentally, Bayer no longer have to worry about their knockout stage involvement, as Zenit's win over Benfica earlier ensures that the Bundesliga side will finish in the top two, but Zenit and Monaco facing each other on the final matchday.
The players are starting to make their way back out ready for the second half.
KICKOFF! Monaco get the second half underway.
Neither side have made any changes for the start of the second half, but it seems likely that Monaco will make changes sooner rather than later if they continue to struggle to create chances.
Leverkusen are not imposing themselves as much as they were before the break, but their still seeing the majority of the ball at the start of this second half.
Donati tries to unleash a shot, but Raggi is on hand to make the block. Berbatov is also continuing to help out at the back, but he gives away a free kick while marking Bender.
Aymen Abdennour and Ricardo Carvalho have done a solid job at the back at the start of the second half to halt Leverkusen's attack. The rest of the team is doing little to stop the home side getting the ball though.
CHANCE! Leverkusen manage to get a shot away as Calhanoglu is given too much space in the box, but his shot lacks any real venom, giving Subasic an easy save. The German side don't appear to have the same urgency that they had in the first half.
After almost an hour, Monaco have their first corner of the match, which is curled in by Moutinho. The initial delivery is headed clear before Toulalan tries to smash it back in, but the finish is rushed, and goes high into the crowd behind the goal.
SUB! As the seem to be struggling to maintain their first-half dominance, Leverkusen make the first change, with son making way for Josip Drmic.
Monaco have been seeing quite a bit more of the ball in the last five minutes, but they haven't really been able to threaten the Leverkusen goal, with Leno still yet to make a save.
Monaco win a free kick in a promising position as Moutinho is brought down by Toprak, but the ball goes straight through to Leno, who gather it before any of the Monaco players can get a boot to it.
PENALTY APPEAL! The home side want a penalty as Bender takes a tumble in the box under a challenge from Raggi, but it was a fair tackle and the referee waves for the players to play on. Bender didn't actually appeal for the spot kick himself, so he escapes a caution, but his teammates and the home supporters were certainly optimistic.
CHANCE! How are Leverkusen not ahead?! Berbatov has remained at the back for large parts of this evening, and the striker gives the ball away to Josip Drmic, leaving the Bosnian captain with only the keeper to beat, but somehow he manages to scuff it wide from just a few yards out. Neither Drmic nor his teammates can believe it!
CHANCE! Leverkusen are starting to look like the side that dominated the first half again as Calhanoglu weaves his way back into the Monaco penalty area, but he gets caught in two minds, unsure whether to shoot or cross, and he ends up just slicing the ball out for a goal kick.
Down the other end, Moutinho and Berbatov both get themselves into strong position on the counter-attack, but Elderson's cross is claimed by Leno.
SUB! The visitors make their first change, replacing Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco with Lucas Ocampos.
GOAL! Bayer Leverkusen 0-1 AS Monaco (Lucas Ocampos)
What an impact from the substitute, who has only been on the pitch for two minutes. He's given Monaco the lead against the run of play with practically his first touch of the ball. Berbatov sets up the move, holding off numerous challenges to pick out Dirar, who in turn fires in a cross, which Ocampos rifles home with his first touch.
CHANCE! Drmic almost levels for the home side as he sets up a chance all by himself, playing his way around several defender, but his low strike doesn't trouble Subasic.
SUBS! Leverkusen make two changes, sending on Brandy and Rofles and Bender and Bellarabi to try and get them back into this tie. A draw will be enough for them to win the group, so a goal would be vital.
Leverkusen have responded well since falling behind, and Wendell tries to set up an equaliser, lifting to ball up over Carvalho, but there's no-one there to tap it in.
Monaco try to make the most of Leverkusen's more attacking approach with a counter-attack, hoping to catch the German side stretched at the back, but Ocampos is offside as Moutinho tries to play the ball forward for the goalscorer.
SUB! Monaco are strengthening at the back for the final few minutes, bringing of left-back Fabinho in place of midfielder Dirar.
Assuming Monaco do hold on for the win, they'll only need to avoid defeat against Zenit in their final match to secure a place in the last 16. If Leverkusen lose their final game, a win against the Russians for Monaco would see them through as group winners.
Ocampos continues to look sharp for the visitors, forcing Spahic to concede a corner. Moutinho curls it back in, but Spahic is on hand again to nod it clear.
Leverkusen immediately head back down the other, desperately seeking an equaliser, but Calhanoglu's corner is sliced onto the roof of the net by Toprak.
Leverkusen are really piling the pressure on again in the final moments as they force another corner. As Castro lines up a shot the referee blows his whistle as Drmic had fouled Bakayoko in the box.
SUB! Berbatov won't be scoring against his former club as he makes his way off for Lacina Traore. He gets a warm reception from the home supporters, as he says that he still follows and supports the club that he started his career at.
FULL TIME: Bayer Leverkusen 0-1 AS Monaco
It's been a mixed night for Bayer Leverkusen. Zenit's win over Benfica early secures their place in the last 16, but this result means that they will have to wait until the final match of the campaign to find out whether or not they will top the group.
The visitors only had the one shot on target, while Leverkusen has 19 shots throughout the match. It leaves Leverkusen at the top of the table, with Monaco just a point back.
Well that's all from this match, but stick around as we'll have match analysis, results and player ratings for all of this evening's Champions League matches shortly, and don't forget to join us tomorrow for coverage of the Europa League. Until then, thanks for joining me this evening. Goodbye!
Written by
Sian Cowper
Sian Cowper
