Five match days before the Russian league finale, Kuban visited Petrovsky stadium to face Zenit, who hadd the Cup final (Monday 02/05) on the back of their minds.
Twenty minutes into the game and Oleg Shatov’s beautifully curved free-kick, rested in Stajila’s net for the 1-0.
Petrovsky’s celebrations lasted only for two minutes as Seleznyov controlled the ball and releasing a powerful right-foot shot, found Lodygin unable to stop the ball, 1-1 and game on.
Artem Dzyuba and Domenico Criscito had two great chances to put the Blue-White-Sky blues in the driver’s seat but an excellent Stajila was there to deny them both. The goal was only a matter of time for Zenit who were easily reaching Kuban’s box and Dzyuba found the 38′ minute as the perfect time to strike and with his header lead Zenit back up front (2-1) into half-time.
Only one team showed up for the rest 45′ and that was Zenit. Hulk cleared out the three points at the 65′ minute with a left foot shot from a close range and Shatov doubled his own and put the cherry on top after a wonderful counter-attack that started from Axel Witsel.
Zenit returned to winning ways after Rostov defeat, but it seems too late for St. Petersburg who now turn attention to the Cup final.
