Zenit’s confident victory over Rubin forces us to draw an analogy with the match between Spartak and Sochi. The “red-whites” had, perhaps, more advantages in their game than the team of Sergei Semak. They definitely had no less chances, but they snatched victory only in the end – in the confusion they scratched out the only goal. There is even more of a mistake from the Sochi team. Zenit didn’t have many chances, but the execution was excellent. That’s why the score is 3:0.

In many ways, the early goal made the task easier for the Zenit players – they didn’t have to work hard to achieve an advantage, and they were able to calmly play the score. Here Rubin had to go forward and open up, although the Kazan team didn’t immediately put the “bus” in the penalty area. We played with pressure and wanted to use it to equalize the opportunities and deprive the opponent of their advantage. It was partly successful, Zenit really didn’t have as much possession of the ball as happens in other meetings, there was no total advantage. Rashid Rakhimov’s team created even more chances before the break. The guests had little success in positional play, but they were successful on counterattacks. All three goals were scored this way.

The score seems to be large, it may seem that the victory was easily won. But nothing like that – in the first half, Zenit had no advantage at all. One moment – one goal. Rubin had opportunities to excel, but the team did not take advantage of them. But what is more significant is that such mistakes were made in defense! Kerzhakov simply knocks the ball out, the Kazan players allow Mantuan to calmly receive the pass in the middle of the field. If you are pressing, you must block everyone! They don’t do this, they allow the Brazilian to not only calmly receive the ball, but also actually make an assist to Isidore.

How was the Frenchman left alone, his flank completely exposed? At the same time, there are four people in defense, the opponent runs from the center of the field towards the penalty area, they cannot cover him. Big mistake! How do you play defense like that? Izidor is a scoring footballer, he proved it at Lokomotiv. Of course, he could have taken the chance, and besides, Dupin didn’t help out. True, after the goal was scored, the Zenit newcomer did not really stand out; he was replaced.

Who was really good was Wendel! He passed the ball to Cassierra, who had only to put his foot up. And in the situation with the third goal! He took possession of the ball near his own penalty area. Being surrounded by Rubin players, he calmly walked out. They didn’t have time to foul, although such a decision suggested itself. Then the Brazilian left the ball to Sutormin, ran from the penalty area to the penalty area for about 70 meters and gave an assist to Claudinho.

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Zenit, I think, was preparing for a difficult match; they didn’t think that everything would turn out exactly like this. They always create chances, but they don’t always realize them. But here it was almost 100% successful. I note that Semak’s team did not play at full strength, but could have improved if necessary. Here, when the second goal was scored, we decided to switch to economy mode. Well, that’s right, why stress – the schedule is tight this week.