PETERSBURG, Feb. 16 – R-Sport, Artem Lisowski Football St. Petersburg “Zenith” on Tuesday will hold the first official match in 2016 -. Against the Portuguese “Benfica” in the framework of 1 / 8 finals of the Champions League.
The first game of rivals will be held in Lisbon at the stadium “Estádio da Luz” and will begin at 22:45 MSK. On the appointed match the Italian team of arbitrators, headed by Gianluca Rocchi. Earlier, the “Zenith” and “Benfica” met at the same stage of Europe’s most prestigious club tournament in the season-2011/2012, while on aggregate won the Lisbon club.
Keeping in match mind in St. Petersburg
“Zenith” has provided an outlet in the spring phase of the Champions League, has successfully acted in the group stage. “The blue-white-blue”, has joined the company with the Spanish “Valencia”, the French “Lion” and the Belgian “Gent”, scored five wins and one defeat, and won first place in the group. This significantly reduced for the “Zenith” the risk to meet the 1/8 finals with the giants of European football.
The December draw for the whole was favorable to St Petersburg as “Benfica”, in spite of a rich history, is now hardly possible to classify to top clubs. Teams are well aware of each other, because in the last four years, this will be the third of their confrontation. For the first time, “Zenith” and “Benfica” met in the 1/8 finals of the Champions League in the season-2011/2012 and then lissabontsy prevailed on aggregate with a score of 4:. 3
In the past season the team played each other in the group stage of the Champions League, and this time stronger than the Russian club. “Zenith” under the direction of Andre Villas-Boas paid the “red” away defeat with a score of 2: 0, and in his field won 1: 0. According to midfielder Axel Witsel Petrograd, now, “Zenith” and “Benfica” waiting games are significantly different from last year to inflame the game. “We are waiting for a difficult match On heat it will be very different from the last match of the season then it was the Champions League group stage, and now is still the 1/8 finals -.. Said Belgian -. The stadium will be packed to overflowing This is our first official. match in 2016, so physically we will have is not easy. it should be the best way to prepare for and remember can be that the return leg will take place in St. Petersburg “.
The course of” Benfica “spoiled” Porto “
“The blue-white-blue” for the third time taking part in the 1/8 finals of the main European competition. Until now, the “Zenith” could not overcome this stage – St. Petersburg, in addition to “Benfica”, conceded in the struggle for access to the quarterfinals Dortmund “Borussia”. It is now the “blue-white-blue”, which before the season set a task to break into the quarter-finals, have a wonderful chance to correct unpleasant for themselves Statistics.
However difficult to say who the favorite in the first leg, as both teams are coming to an important game in a different state. Due to the winter break in the championship of Russia “Zenith” was only a friendly match, although they won the Atlantic Cup tournament in Portugal. But the Portuguese championship almost without interruption, and “Benfica” is clearly in fighting condition, especially talking about it impressive series of 11 victories. True, before the meeting with “Zenith” lissabontsy spoiled his mood. For they were defeated by the principal rival last week – “Porto” – with a score of 1: 2
“It is important to spend playing with them (” Benfica “) with a very correct attitude, concentration, need to be constantly alert. , – said the head coach of “Zenith” Andre Villas-Boas -. Our concern is strong enough that we spend with them is the first official match of the year, while they are on the move “
Garay anticipates. return to Lisbon
“Zenit” and “Benfica” binds not only the competition, which has already become traditional. Just two players “blue-white-blue” – and Witsel defender Ezequiel Garay – previously defended the colors of the Lisbon club (both moved to the “Zenith” is from “Benfica”). Garay, who in the “eagles” twice reached the UEFA Europa League final, admitted that before returning to the “Estádio da Luz” feels special feelings.
“In Portugal, I’m having a great time, so going back there with a special . feelings We meet with the team, who spoke very good players we know that they are now on the rise, however, and we have composed enough strong players will be an exciting match we hope for a positive result “, -…. Garay said
Novichiki in a system
For the match against “Benfica”, “blue-white-blue” fit perfectly in service. At 100% will not be able to take part in the game but midfielder Viktor Fayzulin and Aleksandr Ryazantsev, who heal the injury. Most likely, it will not work on the field and the defender Igor Smolnikov, just started training.
At the “Benfica” losing a few more tangible. First of all, we can talk about a pillar of the defense lissabontsev Luisão, who received a recurrence of his left hand injury. Under the question involved in the game a few more players, “Benfica”, which is hard to find a replacement. “Zenith” is traumatized by the loss may not even notice. For example, in Portugal may take place debut in official matches Mauricio, Yuri Zhirkov and Aleksandr Kokorin, became Zenit winter. In any case, all three novice “blue-white-blue” went to the match with the “Benfica” in Portugal
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