However while Werder Bremen can look forward to a likely place in the last 16 after thrashing Dutch giants Ajax 3-0 in Bremen there can be no such confidence espoused by Leverkusen after a late Shabani Nonda goal pegged them back to a 3-2 home win over Rovers.

For Rovers' British counterparts Rangers there was frustration as the Scottish side saw their hopes of a club record 13th undefeated match in Europe dashed as they went down 2-1 away to Hapoel Tel Aviv.

Rangers' woes could be compounded if a case is proven against inspirational captain Barry Ferguson for elbowing - but their away goal could prove invaluable when they meet again in Glasgow next week.

The three French clubs in action like their German counterparts emerged unbeaten but Bordeaux could only draw 0-0 at home to Spanish side Osasuna while Nancy grabbed an impressive 1-1 away draw with Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine and PSG' resurgence under Rangers former handler Paul Le Guen continued with a 2-0 away win against AEK Athens.

Nonda may have been the quieter of the all-African strike partnership for Rovers this term with South African Benni McCarthy being more prolific but his spectacular volley towards the end of the clash with former Champions League finalists Bayer could earn him a permanent move from AS Roma.

"We have an option to sign Shabani permanently, but a decision hasn't been made at the moment," said Rovers manager Mark Hughes.

"It is something that will be addressed at the end of the season.

"But his goal against Leverkusen was very important for us."

His Leverkusen counterpart Michael Skibbe still believed that the Germans could prevail next week.

"I am looking forward to next week's second-leg and I still believe that we have an excellent chance of progressing into the next stage," said Skibbe.

Bremen were masterful in their dominance of the once mighty Ajax with German internationals Per Mertesacker and Torsten Frings two of their scorers.

However coach Thomas Schaaf was still left somewhat underwhelmed.

"I think if we had taken a couple of our other chances we would be way out of sight," said Schaaf, who has seen his side slip in the title race in recent weeks.

"I really want us to go as far as possible in this competition," added Schaaf, whose team narrowly missed out on reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Rangers manager Walter Smith, who was in charge of Rangers in his first spell when they set the record of 12 unbeaten and came agonisingly close to reaching the Champions League final, sadly resorted to the old tactic of blaming the referee for the defeat.

"It was a terrific free-kick for the goal and you always end up complaining about the referees. But tonight there were a lot of situations where there were fouls in the game that weren't fouls," said Smith, who controversially walked out on being Scotland manager to resume control at Rangers.

However while he was left unhappy his predecessor at Rangers Le Guen was all smiles as a sub strength PSG were more than good enough for AEK 10 years after the coach went there as a player with PSG and won 3-0.

"We stepped up to the plate against a very good team, who had beaten AC Milan and Lille here in the Champions League this season," he said.

"We performed the task with great courage and I think we are the better team but we still have work to do."

That could be said for all the sides.