Chelsea v Bayer Leverkusen - in pictures

These Chelsea fans have fond memories of the days when Michael Ballack was a Chelsea player. Nowadays he plays for Bayer Leverkusen, the visitors to Stamford Bridge tonight, who are back in the Champions League after a seven year absence Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas has left Frank Lampard on the bench tonight. What's more, he's left John Terry in the stands Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Yet there is a place in the starting line-up for Fernando Torres, who's being supported up front by Daniel Sturridge and Juan Mata Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

The Chelsea wall blocks a free-kick from Ballack as an opening goal proves elusive. It could easily have been 1-1 by now but the officials have contentiously ruled out two efforts - first Rolfes had a header chalked off for pushing (very harshly), then Torres was denied when Raul Miereles tried (but failed) to nudge his effort into the net while in an offside position Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

David Luiz, who was selected in place of John Terry, chases Andre Schurrle. The former Benfica player could easily have picked up two yellow cards for reckless challenges, but the referee was lenient Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Which is fortunate because it's Luiz who eventually scores the opening goal in the 67th minute. And a fine, curling strike it is too, crafted by Torres and dispatched with assuredness by the young Brazilian defender Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Meireles is brought to ground by Schurrle as Chelsea look to double their advanatge Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Florent Malouda looks to stretch his opposite number Gonzalo Castro down the left flank Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

Ivanovic loops a header towards the goal from a free-kick Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

In the closing stages Torres initiates a one-two on the left wing and drives into the box ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

... for a man who has still only scored one goal in his Chelsea career it would seem logical to shoot, but instead he selflessly cuts the ball back to Mata who stabs it home Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian

No goals for the Spaniard, but at least he'll be valued by his team-mates after that display. 2-0 it ends, a sound start for the Blues Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian