Zenit defense under fire as Vedeneev weighs in after opener

Former Zenit player Sergey Vedeneev is back in St. Petersburg following the opening round of the Russian Premier League, where his sharp critique of the home team’s defense drew attention. The veteran defender did not mince his words about the way Zenit has organized its back line, pointing to vulnerabilities that could undermine the club’s ambitions in big competitions. His remarks circulated widely as analysts and fans mulled over what the balance of the squad currently signals for the rest of the season.