Wednesday October 24, 2012 Group Stage: Group C Finished Petrovskiy

Zenit St. Petersburg 1 - 0 Anderlecht

  • Kerzhakov 72’ (pen.)

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  1. Champions League - Kerzhakov penalty seals fortunate win for Zenit

    Champions League - Kerzhakov penalty seals fortunate win for Zenit

    Zenit St Petersburg picked up their first win of the Champions League with a 1-0 victory against Anderlecht courtesy of an Aleksandr Kerzhakov penalty. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Zenit St. Petersburg
    • Anderlecht
    • 90+4' There goes the final whistle! A 1-0 win for Zenit. Very fortunate three points, but they will take the win on the night.
    • 90+2' De Sutter is booked for diving before knocking a cross by Molins inches wide of goal. Has been so frustrating for Anderlecht. Story of their night really.
    • 89' We are into four minutes added on in this match...
    • 88' Kerzhakov unloads a shot wide from 20 yards out. Plenty of power, but no direction. Awful play really by the Russia forward.
    • 87' Yakovenko tries his luck from distance. Never really had any pace on the shot as Malafeev makes a comfortable save in his goal.
    • 86' Hulk with a fine ball across the face of goal. Kerzhakov tries his luck from 12 yards out, but his shot is blocked. And Anderlecht survive.
    • 85' Ball is dinked into the box by Hulk, but Bruno Alves can only flick the ball into the path off Proto who collects the loose ball.
    • 84' Kouyate takes out Kerzhakov with a late challenge. Game raging from end to end with players tiring on a sticky surface.
    • 83' Molins takes over from Wasilewski for the Belgians. Last throw of the dice.
    • 82' Another chance for the visiting side, but this time Jovanović fails to hit the target. Frustration for Anderlecht continues.
    • 81' Yakovenko throws the ball deep into the area, but Malafeev is off his line to punch the danger clear.
    • 80' Kanu goes down. Not much in that, but the referee somehow saw a foul there by Witsel. All very soft. Free-kick out wide to the visiting side.
    • 79' Anderlecht players looking stunned. Little wonder with this scoreline flattering the home side, and then some.
    • 78' Deschacht dinks an inviting cross into the middle, but there are no takers on hand to convert as Malafeev comes off his line to pluck the ball out of the air.
    • 77' Witsel is deemed to be offside, and on we go with Zenit holding this 1-0 clear as we approach the final 10 minutes of the contest.
    • 76' Lombaerts seemed to be pulling the shirt of Yakovenko in the box. Big decision for the referee. Looks to be a penalty, but the referee thinks otherwise.
    • 75' Bruno Alves is the latest man to be introduced with Shirokov departing the scene for Zenit.
    • 74' Gillet clatters Bystrov, and there is going to be another free-kick chance here for Zenit just outside the visiting box.
    • 73' Yakovenko takes over from Praet for the visiting side.
    • 72' Anderlecht trying to drag themselves back into a game they really should be leading. A change coming here for the Belgian side.
    • 71' Kerzhakov sticks the ball to the left of Proto, who dives right. And that is a 1-0 lead to the home side. Zenit in command against the run of play.
    • 70' PENALTY TO ZENIT! Jovanovic concedes a penalty for a foul on Anyukov. He is booked..clear-cut penalty to the home side.
    • 69' Zenit trying to keep the ball, but not really going anywhere with it. Wasilewski is penalised for a foul on Bystrov.
    • 68' Bystrov thrashes a shot over the bar from 15 yards out. Best chance of the night so far for Zent. But that goal continues to elude them.
    • 67' Change coming here for Zenit as Zyryanov replaces Semak for the Russian side.
    • 66' Jovanović with three shots on goal, and yet to hit the target. More fine play by Criscito. His cross flies across goal, but no takers on hand to convert.
    • 65' It wouldn't be overstating the case to suggest that the Belgian side have had three clear-cut chances to grab the lead in this match.
    • 64' Biglia almost picks out Kanu in the box, but Malafeev does enough to punch the ball clear. Kept his eyes on the prize. Anderlecht can't connect with the rebound.
    • 63' Praet with a superbly timed challenge on Hulk. Just not happening so far for Hulk who looks like he could play all night long without scoring.
    • 62' Hubočan concedes a free-kick for a foul on De Sutter. Anderlecht, meanwhile, have another corner of their own here.
    • 61' Criscito with a pass into the Anderlecht box, but nobody reading that pass. A goalkick which Proto will launch long down the park.
    • 60' Praet wallops a shot at goal, but Hubocan stands tall to make a decent block. Game beginning to open up a bit more here.
    • 59' Another chance falls to the left foot of Hulk, but he drags a shot miles wide of goal. Awful stuff from the former Porto man. Hulk going through hell out there.
    • 58' Bystrov arrives with Fayzulin departing the scene after doing little of great note.
    • 57' Anyukov on the ball for Zenit. Going to be a change coming here for the home side.
    • 56' Fayzulin lifts an effort miles over the bar as another Zenit attacking move collapses without the desired effect.
    • 55' Not exactly a classic encounter this one, but neither side will be overly fussed if this match finishes with a 1-0 goal win for them.
    • 54' Biglia returns to the action after a spot of treatment as Fayzulin concedes a free-kick for a foul on Gillet.
    • 53' Hulk blasts the shot at goal, but Gillet is quickly out of the wall to make the block. Excellent defending by the Belgian team, who have answered the questions set of them so far.
    • 52' Biglia chops Criscito to the deck. Wasilewski has been booked for a spot of complaining about the initial decision.
    • 51' Deschacht makes another clearance. Taking no chances with Kerzhakov loitering with some intent. Zenit going through one of their brighter passages of play.
    • 50' Deschacht wallops the ball clear in his box. Zenit have not really worked Proto tonight in the visiting goal which sums up how this match has worked out for the Russians.
    • 49' Jovanovic through the middle for Anderlecht. Great movement by De Sutter and the pass was there too. But his team-mate goes for a dive in the box. Awful stuff. Should have been booked for that effort.
    • 48' Hulk caught offside for the home side. Hulk looks keen enough, but has yet to find a way to goal. As yet. Wouldn't put it past him cutting through this Anderlecht defence.
    • 47' Fayzulin on the ball for Zenit, but Proto is off his line quickly to smother the loose ball.
    • 46' We are off and running in the second half of a finely balanced contest in Petersburg.
    • 45+1' There goes the whistle for the break! We remain without a goal in this first half. All to play for in the second half.
    • 44' We are into one minute of time added to the first half.
    • 43' Criscito concedes a free-kick for a foul on Biglia. Not going to be much time added to this first period.
    • 42' Anderlecht will be the happier side if they can get up the tunnel at 0-0. Have certainly looked the likelier team on the break.
    • 41' Criscito concedes a free-kick for a foul on Biglia before Semak curls a shot over the bar from the edge of the area. Nice play by Criscito in supporting the attack.
    • 40' Biglia with another corner for the visiting side that Lombaerts meets to head clear.
    • 39' Jovanović drills a shot at goal from distance, but Semak is there to make the block with a strong header.
    • 38' Biglia with a corner, but Lombaerts rises tallest to head clear the danger. Hulk has had better moments than tonight.
    • 37' Lombaerts penalised for a foul on De Sutter before Jovanovic's free-kick hits the top of the home wall and heads behind for a corner.
    • 36' Hulk taken out of the play by Kouyate on the edge of the visiting box. Took far too long over that. Solid tackle, and Anderlecht can clear the danger.
    • 35' Kerzhakov sees another offside flag. Look to be very little in that call by an assistant referee.
    • 34' The visiting side trying to fraternise with a patient build-up here before Fayzulin gets himself on the ball for Zenit. Content to go backwards to keep possession.
    • 33' Anyukov with a lovely ball into the heart of the Belgian penalty area, but the first touch of Kerzhakov betrays him at the last moments as he bleeds possession. Anderlecht survive.
    • 32' Anderlecht continue to look the more dangerous side, but the home fans are enjoying their night out. Bouncing in the stands.
    • 31' Hulk concedes a free-kick for a foul on Kouyaté. Wasn't too much in that one.
    • 30' Fayzulin is penalised for a foul on Jovanović. The Zenit man is the first booking of this match.
    • 29' Kerzhakov trying to work some magic on the edge of the box, but the ball ends up safely back in the arms of Proto in the visiting goal.
    • 27' Anderlecht yet to find a goal in this year's Champions League, and you can see why with moments like that. Wasteful stuff really.
    • 26' Golden chance for Anderlecht, but Gillet decides to pass rather than shoot and the chance is lost. What a chance that is! Had to take the shot on there.
    • 25' Anderlecht being roundly booed as they look to get on the ball with some eagerness. Possession so far is split at 50-50.
    • 24' Criscito makes a purposeful run down a flank. Cross is cut out before Kerzhakov whacks a shot wide of the visiting goal. Zenit gathering some pace here.
    • 23' Jovanović decides to uncork another shot at the home goal, but the ball is high and wide of the target. Will need a good effort to beat Malafeev from that range.
    • 22' Hulk on the rampage for Zenit down the line, but the ground gives away, he slips and the chance is lost. Tough slippy conditions.
    • 21' Kerzhakov narrowly offside from Shirokov's through ball. Lovely pass, but just went too soon. On we go with neither side yet to find the net.
    • 20' Kouyaté scrambles the ball clear from Hulk's corner. Decent piece of defending by the visiting side. Unconventional, but Anderlecht survive.
    • 19' Anderlecht have fired in just three shots on target so far, the fewest of any team in the competition. The Belgian side have the worst shooting accuracy in the competition, hitting the target with just 21% of their attempts.
    • 18' Hulk is inches wide with a free-kick. Brilliant strike, but the ball just eludes a post. Hulk finally coming to life here.
    • 17' Hulk chopped to the deck by Nuytinck. No yellow card, but a free-kick chance for the home side 25 yards from goal.
    • 16' Hulk with that predictable shoot on sight policy. Has worked well for him in the past, but not paying off so far this evening for the former Porto forward.
    • 15' Hulk studying his options for the second time in as as many minutes, but ends up unwinding a shot wide of goal from 25 yards out.
    • 14' Hulk tries to sprinkle the match with a touch of his gold dust, but can only drive a cross ball into the palms of Proto in the Anderlecht goal.
    • 13' Kanu again goes for goal, and again misses the target. The warning signs continue to sound out there for Zenit.
    • 12' Great little ball from Praet to play in his team-mate. That is a bad miss from that range. Should have been the opening goal. The rain continues to teem down.
    • 11' Glorious chance for Jovanovic, but he has slipped the ball wide of goal with just Malafeev to beat. We remain at 0-0.
    • 10' Kanu takes out Semak with a late challenge. That was a bit robust. Anderlecht won't be overly unhappy with how this match has started.
    • 9' Kanu drives a shot at goal from 25 yards out, but always rising high in the Russian rain. Over the bar.
    • 8' Domenico Criscito makes a run down the left. Attempts to get in behind Guillaume Gillet, but Silvio Proto mops up the loose ball.
    • 7' Gillet thumps an effort wide from distance. Malafeev watches that sail harmlessly wide of his goal.
    • 6' Shirokov taken out of the action late by Biglia, and that will be a free-kick to the home side as Zenit collect the ball again.
    • 5' Praet throws over a decent looking cross, but Malafeev is off his line with a strong punch. Some annoying bloke is announcing the teams five minutes into the match. Not sure UEFA is going to be too pleased with that.
    • 4' Semak with the pass over the top for Kerzhakov, who is just offside as he set off too early.
    • 3' Criscito picking the ball up wide out wide. Throws in a cross, but just overdoes the ball into the middle. That will be a goalkick to the visitors.
    • 2' Anderlecht with one away win in six Champions League away games. Semak caught offside in the early moments of this one for the home side.
    • 1' We are off and running. Zenit get the match started here. Zenit in blue, Anderlecht in white.
    • 16.55 Teams out on the park for this match. Looks like a wet and windy night in St Petersburg. Cold and damp.
    • 16.50 Spalletti's Zenit prevailed 3-1 home and away when the sides met in the 2010/11 UEFA Europa League group stage. Zenit surrendered a 16-match unbeaten home run in Europe against AC Milan on 3 October, but have won all three of their home games against Belgian teams.
    • 16.45 Match odds if you are after a tickle on this match tonight: Zenit (1/2) Anderlecht (6/1) Draw (3/1)
    • 16.40 Anderlecht have won four and lost five of their 10 European games against Russian opposition in Europe, but won just one and lost three of five away trips.
    • 16.35 Latest blog from Eurosport's regular contributor Jim White as he looks ahead to the Champions League match between Manchester City and Ajax in Amsterdam later this evening. Stakes higher than ever for Mancini
    • 16.30 Zenit have won four and lost one of their six European matches against Belgian opponents, including two victories over Anderlecht in the 2010-11 Europa League Group Stage. Anderlecht have won just two of their last 28 Champions League away games (W2 D7 L19), but have drawn three and lost only one of the last five.
    • 16.25 John van den Brom (Anderlecht): "We are not afraid, we have respect. We have to prepare well to win. Their players are good and they also have some who can make a difference. They have many young and talented players too. We are very experienced and mature."
    • 16.20 Luciano Spalletti (Zenit): "I heard the general director of Anderlecht saying they need four to six points in the two matches against us. We think the same as them. For us it would be very good to get four points, six even better. We have no right to mess up in this position."
    • 16.15 Head coach Luciano Spalletti has a full squad at his disposal, with only Danny a long-term absentee, as he looks set to play a 4-3-3 formation with Hulk leading the line. Anderlecht, meanwhile, are missing strikers Matias Suarez and Cyriac to long-term injury. Forward Dieumerci Mbokani has a broken nose, while Massimo Bruno has a toe injury.
    • 16.10 Teams: Zenit: Malafeev; Anyukov, Lombaerts, Hubocan, Criscito; Witsel, Semak; Hulk, Fayzulin, Shirokov; Kerzhakov////Anderlecht: Proto; Wasilewski, Kouyate, Nuytinck, Deschacht; Biglia, Kanu; Gillet, Praet, Jovanovic; de Sutter
    • 16.05 Zenit St Petersburg know that anything but a victory over Anderlecht will effectively end their hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League knock-out stages. The Russian champions have lost their opening two matches, and are bottom of Group C.
    • 16.00 Good afternoon and welcome to LIVE coverage of Zent St Petersburg v Anderlecht at the Petrovskiy Stadium in Group C of the Champions League.

  • Summary

    • 86' Hulk with a fine ball across the face of goal. Kerzhakov tries his luck from 12 yards out, but his shot is blocked. And Anderlecht survive.
    • 76' Lombaerts seemed to be pulling the shirt of Yakovenko in the box. Big decision for the referee. Looks to be a penalty, but the referee thinks otherwise.
    • 71' Kerzhakov sticks the ball to the left of Proto, who dives right. And that is a 1-0 lead to the home side. Zenit in command against the run of play.
    • 68' Bystrov thrashes a shot over the bar from 15 yards out. Best chance of the night so far for Zent. But that goal continues to elude them.
    • 66' Jovanović with three shots on goal, and yet to hit the target. More fine play by Criscito. His cross flies across goal, but no takers on hand to convert.
    • 64' Biglia almost picks out Kanu in the box, but Malafeev does enough to punch the ball clear. Kept his eyes on the prize. Anderlecht can't connect with the rebound.
    • 49' Jovanovic through the middle for Anderlecht. Great movement by De Sutter and the pass was there too. But his team-mate goes for a dive in the box. Awful stuff. Should have been booked for that effort.
    • 18' Hulk is inches wide with a free-kick. Brilliant strike, but the ball just eludes a post. Hulk finally coming to life here.
    • 11' Glorious chance for Jovanovic, but he has slipped the ball wide of goal with just Malafeev to beat. We remain at 0-0.
    • 16.10 Teams: Zenit: Malafeev; Anyukov, Lombaerts, Hubocan, Criscito; Witsel, Semak; Hulk, Fayzulin, Shirokov; Kerzhakov////Anderlecht: Proto; Wasilewski, Kouyate, Nuytinck, Deschacht; Biglia, Kanu; Gillet, Praet, Jovanovic; de Sutter

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Zenit St. Petersburg

    Manager: Luciano Spalletti

  • Anderlecht

    Manager: John van den Brom

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      5.4 7
      Defenders
      5.4 7
      6.2 6
      7.5 6
      7.6 8
      Midfielders
      Substitution Out67′ 4.9 5
      7.8 5
      Substitution Out76′ 5.1 7
      Strikers
      Yellow Card Substitution Out58′ 5.2 5
      6.8 5
      Goal 4.9 6
      Subs
      Substitution In67′ 4 6
      Substitution In76′ 7 6
      Substitution In58′ 4 6
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      Yellow Card 5.3 6
      Defenders
      Yellow Card Substitution Out83′ 5.7 5
      5 6
      5.4 6
      3.9 5
      Midfielders
      5 7
      5.1 6
      4.4 6
      Substitution Out74′ 5.2 5
      Yellow Card 4.4 5
      Strikers
      Yellow Card 4.2 5
      Subs
      Substitution In83′ 4 6
      Substitution In74′ 6.7 6

Comment 1 - 7 of 7

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  1. Wow, Zenit is really bad nowadays. I think buying Hulk­ was a big mistake and waste of money. Kherzhakov and­ Hulk are more or less ignoring each other on the field,­ playing against each other as much as the opposing­ team. With this kind of 'team spirit', I doubt­ we'll be seeing any more victories. Unless they are­ 'victories' like this one.

    From Andrew, on Wed 24 Oct 18:55

  2. 2 Belgians playing for Zenit and awful lot of Russians­ it seems playing for Anderlecht lol

    From daplad, on Wed 24 Oct 18:37

  3. omg! i thought watching anti-football vs Barca­ lastnight was bad. This has been the worst game of­ football i`ve watched in a long long time.

    From Anti septic, on Wed 24 Oct 17:50

  4. andrelecht win 4-3

    From Miguel, on Wed 24 Oct 17:00

  5. Anything less than a win Nd zenit r out tbh .

    From Clyde The gr8, on Wed 24 Oct 16:45

  6. fayzulin is as good as bystrov, just not as fast

    From as knives, on Wed 24 Oct 16:42

  7. BYSTROV on the bench? c'mon son!!

    From Lardlad, on Wed 24 Oct 16:23
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