Zenit head coach Sergei Semak explained why he released the main squad for the match against Dynamo in the Russian Cup. His words are quoted “Sports Express”.
“Save the players in the match with Dinamo? We start from the situation. Of course, the championship is always a priority, but we did not play the match where our energy was most intense, we had time to recover. And the next match is three days later; This is enough to keep you on your toes. I don’t see any problems. In the group stage, yes, there was not enough time to recover. Now there is an opportunity to play in the main squad, and that is what we are doing,” said Semak.
On November 29, Dynamo beat Zenit 1-0 in their first match. Smolov scored the only goal in the 74th minute. In the 69th minute, the Muscovites were in the minority due to the dismissal of Jorge Carrascal. The rematch will take place in March 2024 in St. It will be played in St. Petersburg.
After the round of 16 in the Russian Premier League (RPL), Zenit took first place in the standings. Semak’s team defeated Sochi 3-0 in their last match. Krasnodar fell to second place after losing sensationally to Ural with a score of 1:3. Dynamo defeated CSKA with a score of 3:2 and rose to third place.
Previously Zenit reproached In the absence of champion style.