http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sergei-Semak-c32976 believes Zenit St. Petersburg can defeat Shakhtar Donetsk: UEFA Champions League
Zenit St. Petersburg midfielder, Sergei Semak has reiterated his desire to win the upcoming crunch away match against Shakhtar Donetsk in the group stages of UEFA Champions League at Donbass Arena.
The former Rubin Kazan central midfielder is of the view that Zenit needs to prove their metal against the Ukrainian Premier League champions.
Having lost the opening group stage clash against Apoel FC, Zenit recovered well from the defeat to thrash http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Porto-c39186 3-1 at home. As things stand Zenit are currently at the second spot on the group table in the Champions League.
Semak admitted that Shakhtar have improved a lot under the Romanian tactician, Mircea Lucescu
and insisted that the former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 Milan manager has enough experience playing in the Champions League.
Reports in Russian suggest that Zenit will be without their captain, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Aleksandr-Kerzhakov-c4569 in the upcoming European clash against the Ukraine-based club.
Speaking on the absence of the duo, he said:
“Of course we will miss them, it’s a big loss to lose them at this stage but we need to keep our heads high. The only plus point for Shakhtar is that they are playing at home. Both teams played good football, both the line-ups
are strong, so the chances are absolutely equal.”
He added: “It’s is a very strong tournament, with most powerful clubs, and we want to win.”
The former CSKA Moscow player is of the view that Zenit will not have any problem replacing the star striker and highlighted other attacking option in the squad. Semak revealed that there would be plenty of action, despite the
absence of the star duo.
“The concept of the game and the tactics are all matters of our head coach. I'm ready to play where he wants me to play. Zenith always tries to play quality football.”Semak concluded.
In the latest round of Russian Premier League action, Zenit were held by Dynamo Moscow. The two sides battled to a 0-0 draw after 90 minutes of gruelling action.
The Russian national admitted that Zenit payers are tired after the match but urged his teammates to focus on the upcoming crunch away fixture.
Tags: