Tuesday, December 9, 2014

After losing the “Monaco”, “Zenith” did not get into the playoffs of the Champions League – Russian newspaper

St. Petersburg “Zenith” will not be able to play in the spring stage of the Champions League. Vice-champion of Russia lost in the fateful match, “Monaco” on the road 0: 2 and continue performance in the playoffs of the Europa League.

This game was preceded by a not very clear and, in any case, ugly story, when recovering from injury Alexander Kerzhakov not allowed on the plane. Forward could not play in Monaco, but he wanted the team to support at least morally. However, head coach Andre Villas-Boas decided otherwise. How to know whether there will be a continuation of this incident, but the bell was, quite frankly, bad.

The problem of “Zenith” was formulated just obscene: only need a victory. Any other result meant to Petrograd farewell to the Champions League and “moving” in the Europa League, as below third place Russian club could not fall. It would seem that the supernatural is to beat a team dangling somewhere in the middle of the table of the French championship and lost in the off-season two of its main stars, Falcao and James Rodríguez? But in fact, the chances of “Zenith” initially did not look too high for one simple reason. In five games this Champions League Monegasque missed exactly one goal. Scored, however, slightly more – two. And with such a goal difference managed to score eight points.

Do I need to explain that even one goal zakovyryat opponent with a concrete protection – is similar to a feat. In St. Petersburg to do this, by the way, it was not possible – then played 0: 0.

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Cracking down on defense “Monaco” André Villas-Boas sent Rondon, Hulk and Danny. However, the composition of the attacking trio due to lack Kerzhakova guessed initially. And the rest of the foundation of “Zenith” looked decent for European Cup matches, that is, with a marked bias towards foreign players. Russians also appeared on the field exactly three – Lodygin, Smolnikov and Fayzulin. In the national championship this composition can not appear due to a hard limit on foreign players, and in the Champions League Andre Villas-Boas once again shows that, if it were not for this limitation, he would have relied on several other performers.

It is paradoxical, but even so significant for the “Monaco” match was sold out – empty seats in the stadium, “Louis II” was even indecent lot, especially near the guest platform. Support the “Zenith” according to various estimates came to 1.5 thousand fans who in the first half completely shouting owners. Active local visitors were not only fans, but also the actual players.

“Zenith” much more possession of the ball – 62 percent versus 38 Monegasque at the break. Poddavlivat Petrograders significantly, just do not say that by doing so they brought serious problems for the defense of the “Monaco”. And as such scoring chances guests almost was not. Well, the Monegasque attack and especially sought. They are quite satisfied with a draw, so the owners even in front of the goal for the entire time Lodygina punch did not bother even once.

The second half is held by the same nondescript scenario, and then “Monaco” as if tired guard goalless draw and the hosts seized the initiative. And soon scored a goal with the standard by giving classic combination: a canopy with a penalty kick, defenders of the “Zenith” missed Abdennura, and the head at close range did not put Lodygin chance – 1: 0 in the 63rd minute. Now guests had to score two goals and that, given the reliability of the game “Monaco” in defense, it was practically a death sentence for the “Zenith”. André Villas-Boas, of course, made a couple of substitutions. The replacement Faizulin and Smolnikova out Shatov and Ryazantsev. But the Russian club to play better after that did not.

On the other hand, the advantage will continue to own the “Monaco”, while the Petrograd soon had to work hard to not miss more – moments at the gates Lodygina occurred over and over again. And finally, another failure of defense of visitors led to a goal for Fabinho 89 minutes – 2: 0. On it and finished.

“Zenith” says goodbye to the Champions League now, although after the draw band seemed good and passable. But the vice-champion and leader of the championship of Russia lost twice, “Bayer” and scored just one point in two matches against “Monaco”. Perhaps with such indicators reaching the playoffs Europa League – is not the worst outcome. Which, of course, is hardly satisfied with the leadership of the St. Petersburg club. One of the most important tasks for the season André Villas-Boas has not fulfilled. Well, “Monaco” came out of the group, even from the first place, as in a parallel match “Bayer” and “Benfica” played a draw 0: 0.

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