“Zenith” will compete with “Monaco” for a ticket to the 1/8 finals of the Champions League – RIA Novosti

Monaco, December 9 – R-Sport, Taras Barabash. Soccer St. Petersburg “Zenith” will play with “Monaco” in a match of the sixth round of the group stage of the Champions League on Tuesday.

The game will be held in Monaco in the stadium “Louis II” and will start at 22:45 MSK.

“Zenith” needed only a victory

Footballers “Zenith” in the first five matches, scored seven points and are in third place in the standings of the group G. In the bank Monegasque one point more. Leverkusen “Bayer” (9) is already guaranteed a participation in the 1/8 finals of the tournament, but it is not known with any of the first two places he leaves the group. Lisbon “Benfica” (4) lost the chance to continue the struggle in the most prestigious European Cup tournament, and it will not play in the Europa League. “Zenith” is already guaranteed a minimum participation in the 1/16 finals of the Europa League, “blue-white-blue” will take start in the second most important club tournament in Europe in the case, if they can not beat the “Monaco”.

Before before the start of the season “Zenith” has been tasked to win the championship of Russia and go as far as possible in the Champions League. In this option, in which th e team stopped performing in the main European Cup at the end of the group stage, will be considered a failure as the fans and the club’s management, which, according to head coach Andre Villas-Boas, dreams that the “Zenith” in the near future obtain a stable residence among the top ten clubs in Europe. In case the national championship at the “Zenith” improved, the team goes into the winter break sole leader, but in the European Cup tournament things are not going well. Complicate the task of the Vice-Champion of Russia, “Bayer”, which surprised many Monegasques conceded in a match of the fifth round in Germany. Given the fact that the “Zenith” in comparison with the same CSKA complain on the lot, which had sent a quartet rivals are not the most titled club, absenteeism from the group would be akin to failure.

Will cautious Villas-Boas?

Despite the fact that the “Zenith” at a party need to score, Villas-Boas noted earlier that the team should not be carried forward at breakneck speed from the very first minutes of a playoff. “The most important thing – to achieve the result which will help us get into the playoffs of the Champions League.” Monaco “- very interesting, smart team that is able to distribute the forces during the match. Yes, the team scored during the tournament just two goals, and maybe it will be too anti-record, which will go to the playoffs. But their trump card – a game in defense. Against such an enemy is not easy to play. It is necessary to intelligently approach the game and ahead of time is not disclosed. But we came here to win, we need to score, “- said the Portuguese expert.

He said that the players” Zenith “have a clear goal, you need only tune in to its achievement and to exert maximum effort. “In a match with” Monaco “, we need to attack to score. From a psychological point of view, it’s a good thing that should be considered,” – said Villas-Boas.

“Zenith” will be extremely difficult to realize the ideas of the coaching staff. Firstly, the Monegasque in five games in the Champions League missed only one ball. Second, do not help the team to “Louis II” the best scorer in team history – Alexander Kerzhakov, who Villas-Boas for unknown reasons did not take a trip to the French Riviera.

Lodygin believes in the success

The goalkeeper “blue-white-blue” Yuri Lodygin sure that the “Zenith” is able to defeat the Monegasques, if he shows a quick game that distinguishes the Russian team at its best matches. “Monaco” is in good condition. We have seen their last match. And Dimitar Berbatov always comes at a good level. “Monaco” is a bit like us – fast, sharp command. But if we move the ball quickly, we will win. Forces there. We prepared for this game. To the fore now goes psychology. We need to show the same game as in recent matches. I hope that we will be able to achieve the desired result, “- said Lodygin before the game.

The match of the year for” Monaco “

In contrast to the” Zenith “, the Monegasque can count on his best striker – Bulgarian Dimitar Berbatov, who is full of energy and raring to go. Coach “Monaco” Leonardo Jardim before the game said that it was a game the ex-striker “Manchester United” could be the key to success.

“It’s great that Berbatov returned to service. He has extensive experience. And in the matches against such great bands as “Zenith”, like the players we need. Before the drawing all believed that we zaymёm last place. But we have to confound the skeptics. Hopefully, we’ll do it tomorrow. In football, anyone has a chance to win. Including us tomorrow in a match with “Zenith”. This is the game of the year for “Monaco”, – said Jardim.

At the same time, the Portuguese expert has warned his players from trying to play for a draw, which will suit the French league club. “We’re not going to cling to their gates. The key to victory – in the balance sheet. We must stop the” Zenith “and at the same time by designing attack. The club from St. Petersburg is very strong. I respect him personally and Villas-Boas. But our goal – to defeat the Russians and go to the playoffs, “- said Jardim.

Fans of” Zenith “has come to know the taste of victory at the stadium” Louis II “. “Blue-white-blue” won the UEFA Super Cup, beating Monaco English “Manchester United” in August 2008. The victory in the last match of 2014 will allow the “Zenith” the second season in a row to issue out of the group, and the fans will spend the winter in anticipation of the continuation “ligochempionskogo” holiday.

The match will serve the Slovenian team of referees headed by Damir Skomina. Helping him will linesman Jure Praprotnik and Robert wook, fourth official Andraž Kovacic, additional assistants Slavko Vinchich and Roberto Ponis.