Zenit St. Petersburg needs to forget Lokomotiv Moscow loss to play in the UEFA Champions League
Zenit St. Petersburg lost 2-4 in their latest Russian Premier League encounter against Lokomotiv Moscow. The Bomzhi head coach, Luciano Spalletti has insisted that the Meshki needs to forget the painful loss against the Railway
Men in order to prepare against FC Apoel in the group stages of UEFA Champions League.
The Former Roma tactician was speaking to the media ahead of the Champions League clash against the Cypriot First Division club away from home. Zenit are tied up against Shakhtar Donetsk, FC Porto and the Cyprus-based club in the
group stages of the European tournament.
Spalletti admitted that he is disappointed with the team performance but insisted that the Champions League is a different tournament as compared to the Russian League and the Bomzhi needs to forget the loss against the Parovozy.
“We are disappointment. It is quite a serious blow to miss a victory, when you are so close to winning. But that’s our job and we know what to do. Especially when you have a ticket to the Champions League, you got to do all you
have. And we know what to do in this tournament and we would certainly put some efforts in order to succeed.” The Russian Cup winner was quoted as saying.
The Italian national was quizzed by the reporters about the laggard performance of their first choice goal keeper, Vyacheslav Malafeev against the Moscow-based club. Malafeev made big errors in the match by conceding four goals
in the second half of the match against Lokhi. Spalletti revealed that he has complete faith in their star goal keeper.
The former Udinese boss refused to talk a about an early return for their wing back, Vladimir Bystrov in the starting berth and insisted that he is going to decide it after checking the fitness of the player.
Spalletti urged the squad to prepare hard for the Champions League clash and hoped tough fifht against Apoel.
“Hapoel has a lot of skilful Brazilians and Portuguese players and the whole team tends to play a better football.” The 52-year-old concluded.