Tomas Hubocan believes
Zenit St. Petersburg can win against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Porto-c39186 after Lokomotiv Moscow win
Zenit St. Petersburg managed to win the latest Russian Premier League match before the winter break 2-1 against Lokomotiv Moscow, and Zenit defender Tomas Hubocan believes that the win has increased their confidence to win the
upcoming UEFA Champions League group stage encounter at Estádio do Dragão against Porto.
The Meshki defender is of the view that the Russian outfit has proper time to prepare for the upcoming European encounter after the winter break in the domestic championship and tipped the players to practice hard after a tough
league match against Lokomotiv Moscow.
“Of course we all know the tournament situation perfectly well. But we will not play for a draw because we would like to show the kind of football, we showed at St. Petersburg, where the Russian fans loved the entertaining and
attacking display. We have to play to win.” The Russian Cup winner was quoted as saying.
He added: “In the first match, despite the defeat, the opponent had shown us that they are very skilled team and they love to attack. Porto have many masters-level players. Each player is dangerous, so we must be extremely cautious.”
The last time these two teams played, in the second group stage game, Zenit managed to take the home advantage well, thumping the defending UEFA Europa League champions 3-1 at Petrovsky stadium.
Hubocan, who has excelled for the Russian outfit defensively in all his five group stage European competition appearances, revealed that Zenit are looking for a similar result this time but admitted of a tougher fight this time
around, owing to the Dragoes' home advantage.
Zenit saw their fans lighting up smoke bombs and exploding fire crackers during the previous European encounter against Apoel FC. However, Hubocan refused to comment on the fans, revealing that he will not comment on the situation.
The Russian outfit is at the second spot on the group table with 8 points while the Portuguese club trail the Russian outfit by a point. So, the last group stage match holds immense importance for both the teams, as the winner
will progress to the knock-out stages of the tournament.
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