Russian Leaders Zenit Face Tough Test At Spartak
Zeeshan Mehtab Published August 31, 2018 | 10:43 PM
Russian league leaders Zenit St Petersburg face a stern test of their title credentials when they face second-placed Spartak Moscow on Sunday.
Moscow, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st Aug, 2018 ) :Russian league leaders Zenit St Petersburg face a stern test of their title credentials when they face second-placed Spartak Moscow on Sunday.
Zenit, who finished fifth last season, have won all five of their Premier League matches and have a two-point lead at the top over Spartak, who are also unbeaten this season. Rostov sit third, one point further back.
On Thursday, Zenit booked their ticket for the Europa League group stage with a 4-3 aggregate win over Norwegian side Molde and were drawn Friday against French side Bordeaux, Copenhagen and Slavia Prague.
But Zenit head coach Sergei Semak said he hoped his men would draw the right conclusions from the return leg with Molde, which his team lost 2-1.
"The match at Molde showed that Zenit aren't favourites against any opponents," Semak told Russian tv. "And we should never underestimate any team that we will have to face.
"Hopefully my players will learn from the mistakes they made in Molde to avoid them in the upcoming match with Spartak." Meanwhile, Spartak, who dropped into the Europa League group stage after crashing out of the Champions League with a 3-2 aggregate defeat to Greek club PAOK Salonika, consider the clash with Zenit as a chance to grab the outright lead in the Premier League.
"The good chemistry in the locker room that helped us to win the title two years ago returns little by little," Spartak's site quoted manager Massimo Carrera as saying.
"My men realized that there're no easy games in the Russian league and none of the rivals will gift us points for nothing.
"You always need to fight to get what you deserve. And we're ready to battle to grab the lead on Sunday." Spartak said Friday Dutch attacking midfielder Quincy Promes, the Russian Premier League's top scorer last season, to join Spanish high-flyers Sevilla on a five-year deal worth around 20 million Euros ($23.2 million).
Reigning champions Lokomotiv Moscow, who have won their last two league matches to go fifth, will also have to pass a tough test on Saturday when they visit sixth-placed Krasnodar.
Fyodor Smolov, a major part of Russia's surprising run in this summer's World Cup, last week scored his first goal for Lokomotiv since joining from Krasnodar during the summer break.
He said he was curious about the reception he would get at his former club.
"Though I was a bit nervous as I failed to find the net in the first four matches of the season I knew that my goal drought wouldn't last long," he said.
"I wonder how the crowd in Krasnodar will greet me but in any case I'm going to show my best there. Lokomotiv are the champions and we need to collect maximum points to improve our position in the table." Lokomotiv face Porto, Schalke 04 and Galatasaray in the Champions League group phase.
Fixtures (all times GMT) Friday Rostov v Rubin Kazan (1630) Saturday Samara v Anzhi Makhachkala (1100), CSKA Moscow v Ural Yekaterinburg (1330), Krasnodar v Lokomotiv Moscow (1600) SundayYenisei Krasnoyarsk v Arsenal Tula (1100), Dynamo Moscow v Orenburg (1330), Zenit St Petersburg v Spartak Moscow (1600), Akhmat Grozny v Ufa (1830)
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
IBCC to promote educational excellence, expand regional presence
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leav ..
Putin says plans to visit China in May
More Stories From Sports
-
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
3 hours ago -
National Hockey camp to be organized for Azlan Shah tournament
4 hours ago -
Islamabad Tennis Club demolished by CDA amid anti-encroachment action at public park: Tarar
6 hours ago -
Shayan, Rashid, Junaid to represent Pakistan in U12 Regional Qualifying Jrs
7 hours ago -
Olympic Games Paris 2024: How teams qualified
7 hours ago -
ICC T20 World Cup 2024 trophy unveiled in Islamabad
6 hours ago
-
Pakistan to tour New Zealand for 3 ODIs, 5 T20Is next March
6 hours ago -
Xavi and Barca remain tied in marriage of convenience
6 hours ago -
Pakistan Master Tenpin Bowling C'ship postponed
6 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results
6 hours ago -
1st-ever National Sports Revival conference starts next month
8 hours ago -
Usain Bolt named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
8 hours ago