FC Shakhtar Donetsk vs Zenit St.Petersburg preview - Srna ready for Zenit
Posted Wednesday, October 19, 2011 by PA
Shakhtar Donetsk captain Darijo Srna is expecting a tough Champions League clash with Zenit St Petersburg but remains confident of victory.
The Miners enjoyed unparalleled success last season, securing a league and cup double as well as making it to the Champions League quarter-finals.
Srna played a major part Shakhtar's success and is confident of taking three points from their Group G encounter with Zenit.
"Zenit are a good side," he conceded on the club's official website, www.shakhtar.com.
"When I have some spare time I watch matches their matches, which are mostly interesting.
"Zenit boast great footballers and an experienced coach.
"It will be tough, but I am sure that Shakhtar are better.
"All the more so because we play as home, in front of our supporters, willing to present them with our first win in this Champions League campaign."
Shakhtar defender Dmytro Chygrynskyy echoed the skipper's comments, while quashing talk that the match meant more due to their Soviet Union past.
"I am feeling good enough to help my team defeat Zenit," he said. "The team is also fine.
"We won our most recent (league) match, meaning we are still topping the table.
"Now we can confidently get prepared for the critical Champions League game.
"Any Champions League tie is fundamental to us and there's nothing special about this specific game.
"This side's former USSR roots make no difference.
"It's all about the tricky situation we are in, our group standing wise."
Shakhtar head into the match on a run that has seen them lose just once in their last 15 home matches.
Zenit, by comparison, have lost their last three away games in European competition but currently look impressive..
Luciano Spalletti's side are two points clear at the top of the Russian league and look set to retain the title.
Zenit were held to a goalless draw by Dinamo Moscow on Saturday but their Italian manager thinks it will hold them in good stead for their trip to Ukraine.
"It was a good and interesting match," Spaletti said.
"I hope there was still plenty of entertainment for the fans despite the lack of goals.
"We created plenty of chances but were hurried at times in front of goal."
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