IT’S A HUGE game for Dundalk tonight at Tallaght Stadium.
The Irish side are currently second in Group D on four points, two points behind leaders Zenit and three ahead of third place AZ Alkmaar.
While Dundalk’s progress in Europe has endeared them to fans across the country in recent months, not too much is known about Zenit as far as Irish fans are concerned.
With that in mind, here are some facts you may not have known…
- After 10 games, Zenit are second in the Russian league, with only goal difference separating themselves and leaders Spartak Moscow.
- They finished third in the 2015-16 campaign, gaining an automatic spot in the Europa League group stage as a result. They were also only six points behind winners CSKA Moscow, and four points behind Rostov, who sealed a Champions League qualifying round spot as a result of their feat.
- Zenit’s squad contains a number of players who may be familiar to Irish football fans, including former Chelsea player Yuri Zhirkov, experienced Russia international Aleksandr Kerzhakov and Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel, who scored the second goal in Belgium’s 3-0 win over Ireland at Euro 2016.
- They won the competition back in 2008, when it was known as the Uefa Cup, with Andrey Arshavin part of the side that beat Rangers 2-0 in the final.
- Other notable ex-players include Oleg Salenko, the Russian striker who claimed the golden boot at the 1994 World Cup, former Bayern Munich star Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, Bruno Alves, who was part of Portugal’s Euro 2016-winning squad, former Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel and Brazilian striker Hulk.
- Zenit have won the Russian Premier League five times in their history — the last of which was in the 2014-15 season.
- They have fared quite well by their standards in Europe in recent seasons, getting to the Champions League round of 16 last season, while doing the same in the 2013-14 and 2011-12 seasons.
- Their coach is 71-year-old Romanian veteran Mircea Lucescu, who previously managed Inter Milan, Galatasaray and Beşiktaş. Last May, he replaced former Tottenham and Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas, who turned down the club’s offer of a contract extension.
- The club’s home ground is Petrovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg — the capacity is 21,500, comfortably more than twice the amount of people that can fit into Tallaght Stadium or Oriel Park. Moreover, they are currently in the process of building a new stadium, the Zenit Arena, which will fit approximately 62,000 spectators.
- The Russians will likely be Dundalk’s toughest challenge yet. They have taken maximum points from their two group games, beating Maccabi Tel Aviv 4-3 and AZ 5-0.
- They played a 4-4-2 formation in both their European matches so far. Against Maccabi, they had the following lineup: Yuri Lodygin; Igor Smolnikov, Luís Neto, Javi García, Domenico Criscito; Aleksandr Kokorin, Axel Witsel, Giuliano, Yuri Zhirkov; Aleksandr Kerzhakov, Róbert Mak. They had two changes to their team to face AZ, with Nicolas Lombaerts and Artyom Dzyuba coming in for Yuri Zhirkov and Aleksandr Kerzhakov.
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I’m a united fan, but, in united, the Glazers have their own personal license to print money, (literally billions). The only way they’ll ever be gotten rid of is legislation, or if its no longer profitable.
Media/social media pressure, will make zero difference.
@Martin Malone: Social media pressure is making a huge difference. Team Viewer who recently partnered with the glazers at United saw stocks fall by 4% in one day. Trustpilot now banning reviews pn them after all the negativity. Once sponsors start falling, the Glazers become out of pocket and will sell
@Hugh: I genuinely hope you’re right …I just think news comes and goes so quick these days ..In a few weeks it will be as if nothing has happened…we’ll pay over the odds for Sancho…and all will be forgotten… we’ll pick up odd cups here and there…and eventually when the club is no longer as profitable…it will be sold. Hope ta f I’m wrong.
Get out of my club and take your debt with you.
@Jason Flynn-Wall: to be fair it’s his club
@thomas walsh: how do Mancunians find their way to our 42 page?
@Joe: beats me
Their rattled, promise the sun moon and stars now..
I don’t support United. But i certainly don’t support the glazers either.
Gary Neville mentioned the ground at old Trafford is in dire need of upgrading , rats were reported seen around the seats last year and so forth , he said the glaziers are siphoning money out of the club etc . I’m lost in wonder when I consider the glazers have pumped almost a billion in to buying players , they’ve won numerous trophies and sacked managers the fans weren’t happy with . Sir Alex never complained about them and I think he wouldn’t hold back if he thought the club was being wronged , especially when he had nothing to lose at the end of his reign .They are business people at the end of the day . The recent rioting by united yobs was disgraceful , the decent ones are disgusted I’d imagine ? A peaceful one should have been the norm .
@Tricksy: glazers bought the club with a loan
Transferred the debt of the loan to the club
Have put $0 of their own money back into the club
All transfers have came from revenue
They have taken 2 billion from the club
Agree with the peaceful protest.
@Pauly Kels: previous Liverpool owner hick s and Gillett did the exact same and nearly put the club out of business , but they never sourced transfers like the Glazers Pauly . It seems this is an American business model ? Don’t think if fsg came under the same model but definitely the price they paid is only a pittance to what it’s worth now . I think the breakaway would destroy the game , but the fiddler calls the tune and it won’t go away .Sir Alex always had me wondering about why he stayed quiet on the Glazers . Stan kronke put a brand new stadium around Arsenal , so what owners do isn’t all bad .
@Tricksy: lfc were very lucky hicks and gillett owernship only lasted 3.5 years, this is going on 16 yrs with utd.the transfers that were sourced all funds were made available from revenue not a cent from the glazers pockets.yes exactly that breakaway would have destroyed football.
Straight out of the ‘row with the missus’ playbook.
There’s only one winner here bud
If they’re not going to reduce the mountain of debt they’ve lumped on the club then this letter is useless as that’s really the core issue most fans have. If they don’t reduce debt then they can feck off. They’re only parasites feeding off the club.
Thw money from united went to gwt tom brandy to to the Bucs. They win thw super bowl and the money stays in Tampa
Orignally when they bought the bucs. They wanted a new stadium or they moved. The Tampa government built one. Been there a few times fine place. But again a freebee. Ols Trafford hasnt been updated in years, it will fall behind the rest. All because of greed.
They want you all out not talking more
They should f off back to Jacksonville
The horse has bolted long ago. No point in closing the door now Joel.