Zenit St. Petersburg Notes After a 2-1 Friendly Loss to Neftchi in Baku
Zenit St. Petersburg faced a setback in a recent friendly in Baku, where Azerbaijani side Neftchi claimed a 2-1 victory. The result reflected a game that served multiple practical purposes for the Russian club, offering coaches and players a chance to evaluate form, fitness, and tactical readiness ahead of the competitive season. The head coach, Sergei Semak, spoke about the match in remarks carried by Match TV, underscoring the value of test matches for building squad depth and understanding how different players respond under pressure.
Semak stressed that the primary aim of such friendlies is to gauge the current state of the squad. He remarked that the exercise provided a clear sense of where players stand and how they perform in real time against a determined opponent. He noted that while athletes naturally want to win, a scrappy contest can reveal important characteristics. In particular, he pointed to the intensity and competitive spirit on display, with both teams seeking to seize opportunities and minimize errors. The tempo of the match reflected a serious training environment rather than a routine rehearsal, and Semak indicated that this is exactly what teams look for in preparation games.
On the field, Neftchi secured the win with two goals, while Zenit managed a single reply. Reziuan Mirzov delivered a standout performance for the home side, scoring twice to secure the victory. Zenit’s lone goal came from a strikes by Do Queiroz, the club’s forward who showed moments of clever movement and shooting presence during the contest. The result offered a platform for evaluating attacking coordination, finishing decisions, and the ability of Zenit to press for goals in the latter stages of the game.
From a standings perspective, Zenit remains positioned among the competing teams in theRussian Premier League. The nine-match snapshot would typically be part of a longer season narrative, with the club aiming to climb the table and capitalize on their experience at both domestic and continental levels. In this context, the friendly result is treated as a stepping stone rather than a defining moment, contributing to the ongoing assessment of personnel and tactical systems. The club is frequently viewed in pundit and supporter circles as a strong contender for the league title, relying on depth in the squad, a history of competitive performance, and the ability to adapt to different match situations.
Overall, the match served as a learning experience. It offered an opportunity to test formations, player roles, and the overall balance of the team under match-like pressure. Semak and his staff will analyze video and data from the game to identify areas for improvement, including decision-making in tight spaces, defensive organization, and finishing efficiency. The findings from this friendly will feed into the club’s preparations for upcoming fixtures, helping the coaching staff shape training focus, selection choices, and tactical tweaks. The broader takeaway is clear: even in defeat, valuable insights emerge that can strengthen the squad for the road ahead. Match TV