Edin Dzeko was the chief culprit as Wolfsburg missed a hatful of fine chances to draw their Champions League Group B match with Besiktas 0-0.

Dzeko, who has been in scintillating form in recent weeks, had at least three glorious opportunities to break the deadlock as the Turks somehow held on for a point.

Grafite was shown a 74th-minute red card for violent conduct, a decision which dulled the German side's threat somewhat and ensured stalemate.

Less than a minute had gone when Zvjezdan Misimovic tested Rustu Recber with a floated cross-cum-shot from the right touchline, the goalkeeper eventually doing well to tip over the crossbar.

Dzeko then had the first great chance with nine minutes gone but inexplicably failed to find the target with an unmarked header eight years from goal.

Besiktas' best chance of the first half fell to right-back Ibrahim Kas two minutes later after a well-worked corner routine saw the ball come to him at an inviting height in the penalty area.

He showed good technique to keep his volley down but could not apply the necessary power to test Diego Benaglio.

Wolfsburg were by far the dominant side though and Dzeko somehow missed another golden opportunity after 18 minutes, this time glancing the ball wide from another wonderful cross.

Nihat Kahveci tried hard to drag Besiktas back into the game but himself proved wasteful with a poorly-hit shot from 25 yards.

With five minutes to go before the restart Dzeko and Grafite linked effortlessly to amp up the pressure on the away goal, both players drawing saves from Rustu from positions where the goal seemed more likely.

The second half started in similar fashion, with Misimovic, Grafite and Dzeko laying siege to the Besiktas box.

After 50 minutes Christian Gentner somehow contrived to blaze over the crossbar after Rustu had been worked hopelessly out of position.

Then, just two minutes later, Dzeko coasted into the penalty area, skipped past the goalkeeper and slid the ball against the near post from a tight angle.

By now the German side looked likely to score with every attack and moments later a last-ditch challenge from Bobo denied Dzeko from close range after a loose first touch.

Their bid for victory took a blow when Grafite was shown red for lashing out at Kas with his hands as the pair jostled at a corner.

Teams:

Wolfsburg Benaglio, Riether, Ricardo Costa, Madlung, Schafer,Hasebe (Dejagah 67), Josue, Gentner, Misimovic, Dzeko, Grafite.

Subs Not Used: Lenz, Martins, Santana, Johnson, Pekarik,

Barzagli.

Sent Off: Grafite (74).

Besiktas Recber, Kas, Sivok, Ferrari, Uzulmez, Dag, Ernst,Fink (Inceman 87), Nihat (Rodrigo Tabata 81), Bobo (Nobre 88),Tello.

Subs Not Used: Arikan, Koybasi, Ozkan, Toraman.

Booked: Uzulmez.

Att: 18,757

Ref: Roberto Rosetti (Italy).