Spalletti: Hulk made the difference on Porto return

Posted Thursday, October 24, 2013 by YAHOO Sport

Zenit St Petersburg coach Luciano Spalletti says Hulk was crucial in his side’s 1-0 Champions League victory over Porto on Tuesday.

The Brazil international, who spent four years at the Dragao, where he helped Porto to 10 titles, was in fine form, and it was his cross that provided Alexander Kerzhakov with the opportunity to head home the only goal of the game with just four minutes remaining.

Spalletti was delighted with the 27-year-old’s showing on what was an emotional return for the 40 million euro man.

"Hulk was the player that gave them the most problems," Spalletti said following the match. "He was everywhere, dribbling from the right, providing Kerzhakov with the goal - he was crucial in our win."

Spalletti also gave his backing to referee Paolo Tagliavento, insisting the official was correct to hand Hector Herrera a sixth-minute red card. The Mexican was given his marching orders after receiving two yellow cards in the space of a minute.

His first was given for a tackle from behind on Hulk which was immediately followed by a foolish second for encroachment on the resulting free kick.

"I think it was a correct decision by the referee," Spalletti said. "I would be surprised if he didn’t see the second yellow."

The win lifts Zenit to second in the group behind perfect Atletico Madrid, while Porto dropped to third, one point behind the Russian side.