Match Preview - Zenit vs Benfica

The moment of truth has finally arrived, and it is almost time for all the talking to stop. The game which all of FC Zenit Saint Petersburg have been dreaming of ever since the historic 0-0 draw in Portugal, which secured their progress into the Champions League last 16, is now just 24 hours away. For the first time in their history, Zenit have made it into the knockout stage of the Champions League, and they have no plans of stopping their historic journey here in the last 16. Their opponents? Portuguese giants Benfica, a club filled with history, and who also harbour strong ambitions of going far in this year’s edition of Europe’s premier competition.

When the group stage draw was made, Zenit fans were certainly quite satisfied. Placed in a group with Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk and APOEL Nicosia, they had managed to avoid any of Europe’s supposed giants. But, optimism wasn’t exactly overflowing however. Many fans were still pessimistic of progressing, or you could say, being afraid of expecting success, and then being bitterly disappointed. And the route to the last 16 proved to be anything but simple.

A shock defeat in Cyprus against group minnows (but also eventual group winners) APOEL wasn’t exactly ideal, but then a thumping 3-1 defeat of Porto in Russia made Europe. Four points from the two games with Shakhtar followed, and after again failing to beat APOEL, this time a 0-0 draw, it was an all or nothing shootout for a place in the last 16 in Portugal against Porto. After withstanding a barrage of Porto pressure for the full 90 minutes, largely thanks to goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeev, Zenit secured the point they needed, and one of the most historic moments and achievements in the clubs history was confirmed, albeit in second place behind surprise package APOEL.

Benfica’s route to the last 16 however wasn’t quite so stressful. Drawn in a group with English giants Manchester United, Basel and Romanian unknowns Otelul Galati, the ex Portuguese champions would have expected to progress, but maybe not in first place.

At home on matchday one to Manchester United, the Eagles, as they’re affectionately known, put in a strong performance, earning a 1-1 draw, but left with the regret of missing several chances to score a second, which would have sealed a deserved win. Benfica then squeezed past Romanians Otelul 1-0 in Romania, and then in the double header against Swiss champions, the Portuguese side secured four points out of a possible six. Qualification to the last 16 was then secured with a hard earned 2-2 draw in England against Manchester United, and a 1-0 home victory against Otelul secured top spot in the group with 12 points, and an impressive unbeaten record.

Looking at the statistics, Benfica would be considered slight favourites, given their form in the Champions League so far this season. But, Zenit won’t exactly be quaking in their boots waiting to face Benfica. Having already disposed of Portuguese champions Porto in the group stage, the Russians will certainly believe in victory. But the same can be said for Benfica, going undefeated in the Champions League group stages in something hard to achieve, especially when you have to play clubs such as Manchester United. In their Portuguese league, things aren’t exactly going too bad either. Top of the table after 18 games, five points ahead of current champions Porto, and completely undefeated so far, things are looking rosy in the Benfica camp.

The same can’t be said for Zenit, however. The game on the 15th of February will be the Russians first competitive game since the last game against Porto, and currently the team is depleted, and down to its bare bones. Main playmaker Danny has been ruled out for 8 months with a serious knee injury, key left sided defender Domenico Criscito will miss the first game in Russia after illness, and goalkeeper Malafeev has picked up a muscle strain and likewise, will most probably miss the first game. But Zenit is a team which has always found its best form when their backs are up against the wall, and it would take only a fool to write the Russian champions off already.

Moreover, Zenit will finally have star striker Alexander Kerzhakov back in action after missing four of Zenit’s Champions League games in the group stage, and they hope this will go some way to compensating for the loss of Danny. However, surprisingly, the Russians have made no moves in the winter transfer window, and the squad is certainly now been stripped down to its bare core since the injuries picked up in the various pre- season training camps.

Players such as Serbian attacker Milos Krasic and Russian international midfielder Denis Glushakov were rumoured to have been close to a move to Saint Petersburg from Juventus and Lokomotiv Moscow respectively, but nothing has materialized, which for Zenit supporters, is nothing new. But the Russians already have a high class squad at their disposal, even without players such as Danny. Midfield anchorman Igor Denisov will be expected to boss the midfield along with Roman Shirokov and Konstantin Zyryanov, and looking to midfield attackers such as Viktor Fayzulin to create opportunities for the returning Kerzhakov.

The rock solid central defensive pairing of Bruno Alves and Nicolas Lombaerts will have to be its best. However, to keep out prolific Paraguayan striker Oscar Cardozo. Cardozo is already with three goals to his name in this season’s Champions League, and although not the most mobile of strikers, he has technical ability in abundance, as shown with his goal against Manchester United in Lisbon, and with standing at 192 cm, he is useful in the air. Cardozo isn’t only the dangerous player in the Benfica attack, however.

Tricky Argentinian, Nicolas Gaitan, will prove a handful for the Zenit back four, and number 10 Pablo Aimar is at his creative best in the heart of the Benfica attack; it will certainly prove to be a busy 180 minutes for the Russian defence. But Benfica’s attack has a bit of help from Brazilian defender and Benfica mainstay Luisao, who at set pieces, is always a major threat for any team. Don’t forget that Zenit have a goalscoring defender of their own of course, Nicolas Lombaerts scoring one of Zenit’s most important goals in the group stage, with the winning goal in the 1-0 home win over Shakhtar.

Taking everything into account, it’s pretty hard to call a winner; Kerzhakov or Cardozo? Fayzulin or Aimar? Lombaerts or Luisao? Zenit or Benfica? It’s certainly going to be an enthralling battle between two exciting clubs, and one that many expect will go down to the wire. The first game is (maybe crucially) being held in snowy Saint Petersburg, where temperatures are expected to be around -15 on game day. With the Russians being more accustomed to the wintry conditions, they will expect to build up a healthy lead in preparation for a testing examination in the return leg in Portugal.

Chances of winning? 50/50, I certainly wouldn’t bet against the tie going all the way to penalties in Lisbon.

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