The Russian “Zenit” won a fifth victory in five matches of the group stage of the Champions League. This time, St. Petersburg beat “Valencia” (2: 0) and booked the first place in the group, while the Spaniards are not at risk to go to the next stage. However, after a meeting of coaches argued exactly who controlled the game.
The Portuguese Nun, head coach of “Valencia” and former goalkeeper of the Moscow “Dynamo” was in great suspense: his team is dragged in seventh place in the championship Spain and has chances to fly past the knockout stages of the Champions League, but the “Zenith” even before the starting whistle secured the right to take part in the decisive part of the tournament. At the same time more results Spanish fans worried dull game of his team. With respect to the Portuguese expert fans tuned tough: after the last match with the underdog championship of Spain “Las Palmas”, ended tied score, they rudely called Nuno resign.
That the entreaties resisted and kept confidence during the pre-match press conference, but the game has given his feelings. The reason is obvious: “Zenith” scored in the 15th minute. It Oleg Shatov deflected pass and Artem Dzyuba burst into the penalty area and beat goalkeeper guests, seated in a hockey-style addition to the knee. Already in the first half, the director of broadcasting showed how Nuno sat down on a bench and stared sadly on the field, and then began to bite his fingers.
It was what. Throughout the game players in white shirts have caused only four shots on goal, and none of them turned out to be dangerous. Combination game, too, was not a yes, “Valencia” the ball 52% of possession, but on this island at the gates of “Zenith” is not felt. Moreover, in the current Champions League St. Petersburg specifically gave the ball to the opponents to catch those on the counterattack. The defense of “Valencia” was so fragile that Zenit ran four to three defenders, burst into the penalty area and struck at goal from long distance, while their guardians are slowly returning to the defense.
“Where is everybody?” – About the words shouted to the entire football stadium, “Valencia” Ruben I’m taking 22 minutes after he alone had to defend themselves against attacks Domenico Criscito and Hulk. And waved his arms. This point is significant. It’s safe to say that I’m taking the whole game feel alone.
Among those who were in the middle of the first time I’m taking uttered it proved Sofiane Figuli. While St. Petersburg combined, Algerian forces suddenly left because he could not return to their own goal. But if someone and pay tribute to the “Valencia”, so it is the eighth number of guests. Midfielder – the only one who tried to revive the game “bat” non-standard actions and three hooking the ball towards the striker Paco Alcacer. Twice the Spaniard managed to beat Nicolas Lombaerts sluggishness and pick at the ball towards the goal, in another attack, the Belgian defender was saved at the last moment – stretched into subcategories. Unusually, but he looked much more confident Lombertsa Luís Neto, who was injured in the first half, played almost perfect in the core zone and the right to be protected. In unusual positions.
In addition to diversify Figuli attack the Spaniards tried to substitute striker Santi Mina: in 34 minutes of the game, he got four fouls Zenit for yourself. Reservist could become the hero of the game, but at the crucial moment in the 67th minute hit the “offside”: hammered the ball the judge credited.
At the postgame press conference Nunu said that his team had the game retained the right attacking mood and twice repeated that it was “Valencia” “control of the game.” Why did he do such a conclusion, I do not understand the head coach of St. Petersburg André Villas-Boas, who said: “We are well-conducted positional play, creating moments. At the beginning of the second half was cut, when the” Zenith “has experienced problems, but overall the team controlled the game “. That’s all there is to know about the information content of communication with the coaches of teams. It is a pity that UEFA makes experts to speak in turn, and then leave the press center – it would be interesting to observe how two Portuguese at the table trying to find out exactly who “controlled the game”.
Most likely, the truth is on Boas side. “Zenith” has not only scored the second: 74 minutes after mnogohodovochki with the participation of Danny and Shatov Artem Dzyuba sent the ball into the empty goal. Petersburgers also forced to leave the unfortunate Reuben I’m taking, partner at the end of the game which finally stopped to help him. The last ten minutes of the meeting have meant nothing: the “Valencia” was so bad that even a deep spare Alexey Evseev had a chance to score a goal.
“We have surpassed them as a team,” – said after the meeting Artem Dzyuba. The former Spartak are now five goals scored in five matches played: the list of the best snipers tournament Russians caught up with world football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. “It’s nice with a giant catch up,” – said the striker.
After another victory in Europe, “Zenith” with confidence can look to the future: scored 15 points, the team secured a first place in the qualifying group and can dream about the rival weaker in the 1/8 finals of the Champions League. Given that St Petersburg suspiciously often lucky at the draw, no one is surprised to see the conditional “Olympiakos” paired with a blue-white-blue.
However, the progress of the team noted impossible two years ago, she got out with a minimum of six points out the weakest group selection, and last year, and at all left the tournament, losing to European middle peasants. If before Axel Witsel regretted that St. Petersburg is not taken seriously in Europe, now Domenico Criscito can afford to say all the commands that come to us are aware of just how strong the “Zenith”.
Peter Trunk
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