http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vladimir-c36322 Kazachyonok
believes Zenit St. Petersburg can stretch their unbeaten UEFA Champions League run in the upcoming home game against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/SL-Benfica-c40542.
The former FC Khimki striker, Vladimir Kazachyonok, has hailed Zenit St. Petersburg upon reaching the UEFA Champions League knock-out stages and admitted that Zenit can win the upcoming European tie against SL Benfica after winning
against a much stronger club, FC Porto, previously.
Zenit managed to progress from the group stage despite their opening day defeat against FC Apoel and back-to-back group stage draws against FC Porto and FC Apoel in the last two group stage matches.
Kazachyonok urged the Russian outfit to alter the situation if they are to reach the quarter-finals of the European tournament under Luciano Spalletti.
The former Dynamo St. Petersburg player went on to compare Benfica with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Porto-c39186 and gave his opinion on the two Portuguese outfits. He revealed that Encarnados are inferior to the Dragoes and tipped Zenit to play quality football
against the Primeira Liga runners-up.
Kazachyonok admitted that not being pitted against the likes of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 and Real Madrid was a relief. He warned the St. Petersburg against complacency and tipped Zenit to practice hard after back-to-back European draws against
FC Porto and FC Apoel.
The Russian national admitted that the Meshki are favourites to win the upcoming European encounter against the Portuguese club after winning 3-1 against FC Porto in the group stage.
“Benfica are quite an interesting opponent. They have plenty of European experience as compared to Zenit but I think the Meshki have proved their potential against Porto.
“I think that Zenit have enough time to prepare for these matches more than Benfica do.”The UEFA Intertoto Cup winner was quoted as saying.
The Spanish Cup winner went on to admit that bad weather may affect the opening day clash with the Portuguese club, adding that St. Petersburg can manage to prepare a decent pitch.
Kazachyonok revealed that Zenit are having a good European campaign so far this season but they need to work hard on their attack. Zenit have scored just seven goals in six group stage encounters.
Tags: