Bayer Leverkusen coach Jupp Heynckes was satisfied with his side's goalless Europa League draw at Aris Saloniki.

Captain Simon Rolfes made his first start since May 8 as he led an inexperienced side with Heynckes choosing to rest a host of first-team players ahead of their Bundesliga match with Mainz on Sunday.

The point kept Bayer top of Europa League Group B, ahead of holders Atletico Madrid.

"I took a bit of a risk with my team selection, but then we do have a lot of players out," Heynckes said.

"Therefore, it was important for these players to play in a game like this, in a European game in such conditions.

"It is not easy to play here. The stadium is a real cauldron and the fans are fantastic.

"I would have preferred it if we had put them under a bit more pressure later on, but we can live with the point."

Rolfes added: "We wanted to keep a clean sheet and we have done that."

The draw maintained Leverkusen's unbeaten record in the group, but they still need two more wins to be guaranteed a place in the last 32.