On 30 July within the frames of the 3rd qualifying round of UEFA Champions League Zenit lost to AEL 0:1, without being able to convert any of their chances. The only goal in the match was scored by  Lukasz Gikiewicz in the 64^th minute. And in the 67^th minute Witsel was cautioned with the red card, sent off and his team was left in the minority.

AEL (Cyprus)  – Zenit  (Russia) 1:0
Goal: Gikiewicz, 64
Cautioned: Каду, 12, Зезиньо, 40, Сардинеро, 70, Элефтерио, 79 – Кришито, 22
Sent off: Witsel, 67
30 July. Cyprus. Stadium Antonis Papadopulos. 20-00
TEAM LINE-UPS:
AEL (Cyprus): Fegrouch, Sielis, Nikolaou, Carlitos, Cadu, Edmar, Guidileye, Sardinero (Tagbajumi, 69), Zezinho (Bebe, 61), Gikiewicz, Danielzinho (Eleftheriou, 77)
Zenit (Russia): Lodygin, Anyukov (Smolnikov, 73), Garay, Neto, Criscito, Fayzulin, Witsel, Danny (Shatov, 69), Tymoshchuk, Hulk, Kerzhakov (Rondon, 61)
Referee: Strahonja (Croatia)