First home game for Villas Boas’s team took place in an empty Petrovsky stadium (ban) and fans missed a goalfest in St. Petersburg.
Torpedo’s goalkeeper Zhevnov stopped Hulk (twice) and Rondon in the first 15′ minutes from giving Zenit an early lead while Moscow’s team was trying desperately to defend rather than attack.
Smolnikov moved past Torpedo’s defenders, Fayzoulin made the cross and the first gave Zenit the lead at the 27th minute.
Nikolay Savichev’s team opened up trying to reach Lodygin’s posts and Witsel’s teammates punished them with two goals in three minutes. First Rondon with a beautiful flying kick and then Hulk from the penalty spot put Zenit in the driver’s seat (3-0) for the first 45′.
Second half started with usual suspects Rondon and Hulk doubling their personal goals while Torpedo had completely abandoned the game to Zenit’s attacking force.
Shatov and Kerzhakov (x2) added their names on the score-sheet, Torpedo scored an honorary one (penalty) and a demolishing 8-1 was the final score in Petrovsky stadium.
