Zenit vs Dundalk will be the first away game in Russia for Dundalk, and the challenge could not be more difficult, as they face a club that has won three out of three in the Europa League this season. On the other hand, the two sides faced each other on matchday 3, and Dundalk held their own for most of the match before being finally being beaten by Zenit 1-2.
The Irish can, therefore, draw some positives before matchday 4 in Group D of the Europa League. But the task on Thursday will be extremely difficult, as the Petrovsky Stadium is a real European fortress, especially at this time of the year. Futbolgrad has seen late European action at the stadium, and Dundalk supporters should come prepared for severely cold temperatures, as the stadium’s open roof construction, and close proximity to the Neva mean that temperatures feel much colder than forecasted.
In fact, it is somewhat surprising that Zenit are playing at the Petrovsky at all this season, as the New Zenit Arena was supposed to be available at the beginning of the season. But construction delays have meant that European clubs visiting the former capital will be treated to a genuine Russian winter experience.
It is not surprising that Zenit have been a formidable force when they play at home against clubs unused to these conditions, and with three wins already in the bag and, with two home games in the last three matches, Zenit now appear to have pretty much booked the ticket for the round of 32 in the Europa League, which was the least that was expected of the club, as Futbolgrad predicted that they would finish first in the group.
Indeed, the Russians have played some of the most entertaining football in the competition thus far, as they overcame a 3-0 deficit in Israel against Maccabi Tel Aviv to win 3-4 on matchday 1, and then defeated AZ Alkmaar 5-0 on matchday 2. Furthermore, the club boasts the two most prolific scorers in the Russian attacker Aleksandr Kokorin, and the Brazilian midfielder Giuliano.
Both have scored three goals in the group stage, and while Giuliano has received plenty of praise for his captivating game, the resurgence of Kokorin is slowly gaining traction in the media as well. Indeed Kokorin, who is still only 25, seems determined to finally deliver on his almost limitless talent.
Lucescu has moved the striker away from the centre to the right-wing and, relieved of the burden as the sole goal scorer, Kokorin has adapted his play to that of a speedy winger who can not only score but, more importantly, can also set up goals for the likes of Artem Dzyuba, and Giuliano in Lucescu’s 4-3-3 formation.
By adapting both Giuliano and Kokorin, Lucescu has been able to build a slight evolution of his Shakhtar tactics at Zenit, which means that Dundalk will not only have to prepare for the harsh Russian winter, but also for a club that will provide a blizzard of opposition in the snow covered Petrovsky Stadium.
Futbolgrad’s Prediction: Zenit vs Dundalk 4:0
Possible Line-ups
Zenit Saint Petersburg:
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Kerzhakov – Chernov Criscito, Neto, Anyukov – Witsel, Mauricio – Shatov, Giuliano, Kokorin – Dzyuba
Manager: Mircea Lucescu
Dundalk:
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Rogers – Grimes, Barrett, Keane, Gannon – Poynton, Benson – O’Connor, Shiels, Dalton – O’Connor
Manager: Stephen Kenney
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