The final meeting of Zenit in the group stage of the Champions League with Chelsea, which ended in a draw 3: 3, gave Russian fans a lot of positive emotions and hope for a good performance of St. Petersburg in the Europa League this spring.
The Russian team attacked a lot and showed the will to win, scoring the ball in added time to the match.
The head coach of the blue-white-blue Sergei Semak, however, noted at a press conference that such a game turned out, since Chelsea were not completely ready for the meeting.
In addition, a large number of the London club's main footballers remained on the bench.
“Everyone wants to be in the first place in the group, but the main coach has given many to rest.
The game is open, so there are a lot of goals and chances.
With the exception of the away match with Juventus, where we performed poorly, we played to our best.
And what match, such is the result, "- quotes the words of the mentor" Sport-Express ".
Evaluating the performance of his team, the head coach of Londoners Thomas Tuchel admitted that his players allowed Zenit too much on the field.
“If you give space to your opponent and don't close the free zones when attacking, you can get caught on counterattacks.
If your opponent has high speeds, technically advanced players, and you constantly give them space, you are punished.
We have to push all the time.
Through pain, tiredness, overcoming - there is no way without it.
If you change your behavior based on the score, let your opponent punish you.
We must close the door.
It is very easy to do - you need to run more actively, to be involved in moments all the time, ”the specialist noted.
According to the results of the group stage in Quartet H, Juventus took the first place, beating the British by two points.
Turintsy won their match against Malmö with a score of 1: 0.
The Italian club on Twitter thanked Zenit for the draw by posting a meme with Leonardo DiCaprio from The Great Gatsby, where he raises a glass of martini.
pic.twitter.com/4WE904ETlb
- JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) December 8, 2021
Zenit midfielder Magomed Ozdoev also joked about this, scoring a saving goal for Petersburgers in the fourth minute added to the match.
"Juventus", you do not need to thank ", - wrote the midfielder on Twitter in English.
And speaking with reporters, the midfielder said that after the ball he ran to thank the team doctor.
Ozdoev was injured on July 27 in the first round of the RPL and then recovered for almost four months.
“I think this result is a plus for us.
The team did a good job, the guys played very well.
The result is logical.
There were moments for them and for us.
I think the fans will be pleased with the quality of the game and the result.
As for my goal, the position is destructive, I had to hit.
The main thing is to adjust well, which I did.
I ran to thank the doctor because he did a great job.
I wanted to thank him so much, ”Ozdoev said on the air of Match Premier.
In turn, Zenit midfielder Claudinho, who also scored a goal, was pleased with the team's performance and admitted that he was proud of this performance of the blue-white-blue.
“I think we end up in the Champions League with our heads held high.
We had a good match, played efficiently and brightly against such an opponent as Chelsea.
Now all thoughts are about the upcoming game with Dynamo, but, of course, about the performance in the Europa League.
My goal turned out to be good, I don't score with my head that often.
I am very glad that with the help of my ball we were able to return to the game.
But still, not only thanks to him.
This was preceded by the fact that the whole team played differently and more aggressively, "- said Claudinho to the press service of the club.
Zenit midfielder Andrei Mostovoy, who entered the field in the 51st minute, noted the team's fighting spirit for the match.
As the footballer explained, this time the team was not pressured by the result, since he had already completed the minimum task, having previously secured himself an entry into the Europa League playoffs.
“It turned out to be a very good game, entertaining, for the fans.
We played to win.
We scored the ball in the end, showed character.
The result is natural.
Nothing pressed on us.
We played at home against a very good team.
It's always nice, there is super motivation.
There are several factors here.
It's not even pleasant that we have achieved the result, but the quality of the game is very pleasing, ”said Mostovoy.
The former forward of the team Dmitry Radchenko also noted the quality of Zenit's play.
In his opinion, Semak's charges have great potential.
“The Champions League is the most important European tournament, an opportunity to prove yourself.
Zenit did their best yesterday, played confidently, were not afraid.
In this competition, the Petersburgers played their best match.
The guys who replaced: Circular, Mostovoy brought speed into the game.
Zenit has potential for the future.
Everything was roughly clear in the standings, so the clubs played more relaxed, openly, without any pressure, ”Radchenko said in an interview with“ Championship ”.
In turn, the former Zenit goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeev expected open football.
At the same time, the specialist believes that the Petersburgers can get a good performance in the Europa League.
“It's good that there are matches where you can test and see who is capable of what, especially with one of the best teams in Europe.
In some places and in general, Zenit really showed good football, and a draw, in principle, is a good result.
A very interesting match.
Zenit is one of the strongest teams, I mean that the opponents respect them.
I think that good results can be expected in the Europa League.
Again, everything will depend on the lot, on the form in which the team will be.
Therefore, I think that Zenit, in a good scenario, may be able to perform well in the Europa League, ”said the TASS goalkeeper.
I agree with Malafeev and the former head coach of the Russian national team Anatoly Byshovets.
In his opinion, Zenit can achieve a good result in the Europa League.
“The game left the impression that the Russian club has potential and opportunities.
This was not enough to leave the group, although there were chances.
Even the matches with Juventus could probably solve the maximum problem.
Maybe the game with the Italian team lacked psychological confidence.
There was no pressure in the match against Chelsea and we saw how Zenit's capabilities were revealed.
The potential gives reason to believe that the St. Petersburg team will perform well in the Europa League.
There will be many chances, ”admitted the RB Sport specialist.
The draw for the Europa League playoffs, where the rival of the Russian club in the 1/16 finals will become known, will take place on 13 December.