The Bundesliga side have been in poor form but ensured they ended the group stage of the Champions League with a victory over the group winners. Bayer Leverkusen moved into the last 16 of the Champions League with their unbeaten record in this season's competition still intact as they won 3-0 against Monaco. With both sides already through to the next stage - and unable to finish any higher or lower - Leverkusen dominated the game, often finding visiting goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis to be a frustrating obstacle. Javier Hernandez, without a goal since the start of October, was repeatedly denied, before Vladlen Yurchenko's glorious effort broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark. Julian Brandt's deflected second arrived after 48 minutes, and, although Leverkusen's momentum then slowed and Corentin Jean hit the post at the other end, De Sanctis was unfortunate to turn Wendell's penalty into his own net with eight minutes remaining. Monaco, like the hosts, had been yet to lose in Group E, but a below-par performance reflected a team sheet that showed nine changes from their 5-0 demolition of Bastia in Ligue 1 on Saturday. As the two teams switch their focus to the knockout rounds, Leverkusen can take encouragement from a first victory against the in-form French club. De Sanctis had to be alert to deny Javier Hernandez high at his near post with the game's first chance.The visiting goalkeeper was rather less impressive when he flapped at Brandt's cross from the right, but Julian Baumgartlinger sliced horribly wide as he spun onto the loose ball. Read more
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