Russian Premier League was back after players returned from their National teams as unbeaten Zenit faced another Moscow team, Dynamo, in Petrovsky stadium.
First fifteen minutes Cherchesov’s team had full control of the game as if they were the home team, with possession reaching 33%-67%. French midfielder Valbuena scored an amazing lob inches outside of Lodygin’s box at the 17′ minute, converting their excellent start into a goal, 1-0.
Zenit tried to find ways into Berezovsky’s posts and with some luck the equalizer came ten minutes later. Criscito made one of his solos from the left with his shot being blocked by Berezovsky but Dynamo’s defender Samba was in the way ricocheting the ball; own goal and 1-1.
Witsel almost turned the game in Zenit’s favour with a nice left-foot shot out of the box but Dynamo’s keeper was in place. Usual suspect Hulk stole the ball in midfield, passed to Arshavin and the Russian gave the lead to Villas’ Boas team, in a beautiful but also tough first half as Axel was harshly tackled from Vainqueur (booked) and was substituted (injured).
Second half went under way with Mogilevets (in for Witsel) having the first chance to extend the lead at the 51′ minute but missed wide left. Dynamo kept looking for the equalizer as Lodygin was the guardian angel with two amazing saves in 5 minutes from Douglas’ and Kuranyi’s headers (68′, 73′).
Rondon was brought in to freshen up Zenit’s attack and he nearly finished the job missing by inches to score the 3rd goal for the Blue-White-Sky blues. Game was turned into a rodeo with great football from both teams as Samba’s header at the 82′ brought the match level 2-2. What a derby!
Zenit haven’t said their final word, as skipper Danny played the through pass and Smolnikov’s powerful shot found the right corner of Berezovsky’s post at the 88′ minute, giving the 7th win to St. Petersburg, who remain alone in first place of the Russian Premier League table with 21 points.
Axel Witsel and co travel to Portugal to face Benfica giants on Tuesday 16th September, for the first game of the Champions League Group stage.
