In a recent international friendly at Gazprom Arena in St. Petersburg, Mikhail Kerzhakov, the goalkeeper for Zenith, shared his thoughts after Crvena Zvezda edged the home team 2-1. The spirited encounter provided a candid snapshot of the mood inside the squad as the final whistle blew.
Kerzhakov offered a measured take on the result, stressing that the team is still working toward full readiness. He noted that achieving peak fitness takes time, and the loss did not feel unfair on the whole. Still, he pointed out that Zenith created more opportunities and could have capitalized on those chances to change the outcome. Friendlies against international opponents in this phase of preparation are viewed as important tests and valuable steps in overall development for the squad.
The match drew a large crowd at Gazprom Arena, where Crvena Zvezda struck first before the break. Mirko Ivanic delivered the opening goal in the 40th minute, giving the visitors a slender advantage at halftime. Zenith came out energized after the restart, with Brazilian forward Du Queiroz finding the net in the 62nd minute to restore parity and turn the game into a tense contest.
Drama peaked late as Jean-Philippe Crasso struck in the 88th minute, delivering the decisive blow for the visitors. The late strike prompted reflections within Zenith on the qualities demonstrated by their opponents and a consideration of how to translate momentum into more decisive results in forthcoming fixtures.
Beyond this friendly, the event serves as a platform where teams from diverse football cultures intersect for preparation and evaluation ahead of domestic campaigns. Turkish club Fenerbahce and Azerbaijan’s Neftchi are among the other participants, underscoring the gathering as a meaningful showcase for scouting, experimentation, and strategic planning. The 2022/2023 season context remains relevant as Zenith previously claimed the Russian Premier League title, a fifth straight championship that bolstered the club’s reputation for sustained success in Russian football. The crest continues to symbolize years of consistent achievement and ambition.
News around player movements and potential interests persists. A former football manager, Lucas Mineiro, floated the idea that Zenith has shown interest in Hugo, a Brazilian talent associated with Flamengo. Discussions about transfers and possible acquisitions form a part of broader strategic planning aimed at strengthening the squad for the seasons ahead.