Luciano Spalletti omits Aleksandr Kerzhakov from UEFA Champions League clash against Apoel FC
Zenit St. Petersburg head coach, Luciano Spalletti, has ruled the Meshki striker, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Aleksandr-Kerzhakov-c4569, out for the upcoming UEFA Champions League group stage game against Apoel FC at Petrovsky stadium.
Kerzhakov has not featured since Zenit’s 2-2 draw against Spartak Moscow, after sustaining a knee injury. The Italian tactician revealed that their leading scorer is out injured and reiterated that the former Dynamo Moscow player
is on road to recovery.
However, Spalletti has given a green signal to their attacking midfielder, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Danny-c10193 Miguel, for the upcoming match. The Portuguese had also picked up a knock in the latest Russian Premier League encounter against Anzhi Makhachkala
at home.
The Portuguese national has been influential for the Russian outfit, providing an excellent assist to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Konstantin-Zyryanov-c21312 against Apoel FC while scoring the final goal of the group stage match against FC Porto himself.
The last time these two sides met, Zenit lost 2-1, and Spalletti has warned his side against complacency and assured the fans of a better performance in the upcoming game.
The former AS http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roma-c31603 manager went on to reveal that Zenit played quality football against Apoel previously but the failed to be clinical in front of the goal.
“The psychological state of the team has completely changed. Our defeat against Apoel was our debut match in the competition. We used a tactical scheme, did not work. Nevertheless, we are now aware of the opponent’s strength.
We now feel more confident after winning a few League matches, which certainly will give us strength before tomorrow's meeting.” The Coppa Italia winner was quoted as saying.
The Italian tactician is of the belief that the corresponding fixture could be a decisive group stage match for the Russian outfit. He tipped the Meshki to claim maximum points in the remaining group stage matches.
Speaking on the home support, he said: "Our fans love quality football and we will try not to disappoint them.”
Zenit are at the second spot on the group table, above Shakhtar Donetsk and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Porto-c39186 in the group rankings.
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