Champions League holder Real Madrid slumped to a rare defeat in the competition as it went down 1-0 away to CSKA Moscow on Tuesday, while Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United misfired again in a 0-0 draw with Valencia.
While Bayern Munich was also held by Ajax.
Real was not expected to struggle in Group-G as it looks to continue its recent dominance, but Julen Lopetegui’s side went behind inside two minutes in Moscow following a mistake by Toni Kroos.
The German’s drilled backpass turned into a gift for Nikola Vlasic, and the winger on loan from Everton fired past Keylor Navas to put CSKA ahead.
Casemiro hit the post in the first half — one of three attempts that found the woodwork for the visitor — but Real was weakened by the absence of Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos, while Luka Modric started on the bench.
CSKA held on, despite having goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev sent off in injury time, and it moves above Real to the top of Group G.
Insipid show
At Old Trafford, pressure continued to build on Mourinho as United produced another insipid attacking display in its goalless stalemate with Valencia.
It is now four games without a win, and Mourinho’s decision to recall Alexis Sanchez — after dropping the Chilean for the weekend defeat at West Ham United — failed to pay off.
Shakhtar Donetsk squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Lyon in France, in a game played behind closed doors.
Brazilian forward Junior Moraes scored twice for Shakhtar, but Lyon fought back to draw with goals from Moussa Dembele and Leo Dubois.
Meanwhile, Bayern could not hang on to the early lead against Ajax when Mats Hummels headed in Arjen Robben’s cross. Young full-back Noussair Mazraoui equalised to give the Dutch side a 1-1 draw.
The results: Group E: AEK Athens 2 (Klonaridis 53, 63) lost to Benfica 3 (Seferovic 6, Grimaldo 15, Alfa Semedo 74); Bayern Munich 1 (Hummels 4) drew with Ajax 1 (Mazraoui 22).
Group F: Hoffenheim 1 (Belfodil 1) lost to Manchester City 2 (Aguero 8, David Silva 87); Lyon 2 (Dembele 70, Dubois 72) drew with Shakhtar Donetsk 2 (Junior Moraes 44, 55).
Group G: Roma 5 (Dzeko 3, 40, 90+2, Cengiz Under 64, Kluivert 73) bt Viktoria Plzen 0;
CSKA Moscow 1 (Vlasic 2) bt Real Madrid 0.
Group H: Juventus 3 (Dybala 5, 33, 69) bt Young Boys 0;
Manchester United 0 drew with Valencia 0 .
