Zenit St. Petersburg power their way to a win over Liverpool

A good first half performance from Pepe Reina proved insufficient for Liverpool to stop Zenit from getting a firm grip on the Europa League tie between the two sides with a 2-0 win. Goals from Hulk and substitute Semak were sufficient for the Russian giants to triumph in the biting cold atmosphere at the Petrovskij stadium, where the temperature was recorded to be -6 degree at kick-off.

ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA – FEB 14, 2013: Hulk of Zenit celebrates a goal against Liverpool during UEFA Europa League Round of 32 at the ‘Petrovski’ stadium.

The home side were not even remotely sluggish as the game began though, making meaningful efforts at goal within the opening minutes of the game, while Liverpool adjusted to the extreme nature of playing football in Russia. Alexsandr Kerzhakov’s effort was stopped by Pepe Reina as early as in the 2^nd minute, before Luis Suarez managed to find space in the penalty area but failed to hit the target with a left-footed effort.

Hulk was in the starting line-up for Luciano Spaletti’s side, and his power was on display as an effort from distance was on its way to goal before Reina managed to tip it just wide of goal. It was an excellent effort from the former Porto man, which nearly caught the ‘keeper wrong-footed, but saw him recover well.

The next big chance fell the way of Liverpool when Suarez pounced on an error by Lombaerts to rush into the penalty area and round Malafeev, but his poor touch allow Zenit to make a clearance. A huge let off for both the defender, who had given away possession cheaply, and for the Russian side. Hulk continued to make an impact on the game felt with an effort, which struck the post, but unfortunately did not fall to any of his teammates.

Similarly, Suarez had another golden opportunity to score with a ball from Joe Allen making its way to him in the six yard box. The Uruguayan striker went for the fancy instead of the effective though, and saw his back-heeled flick loop up and bounce harmlessly wide of post, while a slotted finish would have almost certainly resulted in a goal. The teams went in at the break goalless, in spite of a very entertaining first half.

The second half began on a much more positive note for the visitors, with them being on the front foot. They nearly took the lead a few minutes in as well, with Glen Johnson’s run from right back going unchecked all the way into the Zenit box, where his attempt was blocked well by Malafeev. The ball was rolled through the feet of Lombaerts at the edge of the box, putting Johnson virtually through on goal, but the advancing ‘keeper had the presence of mind to block the effort with his feet while going down to block the effort. The next close call played out into the hands of the visitors as well, with a curled effort from Luis Suarez barely missing the far post, after the ball had been rolled to him at the edge of the box by Downing.

RUSSIA, ST. PETERSBURG – FEB14, 2013: Alexander Anyukov of Zenit St Petersburg battles for the ball with Luis Suarez of Liverpool during their UEFA Europa League Round of 32 first leg match at the Petrovski stadium.

It was Zenit who eventually broke the deadlock though, and it took a brilliant piece of skill from summer signing, Hulk. Collecting the ball from Igor Denisov, outside the box, Hulk unleashed an unstoppable effort towards Reina’s top-right corner, which curled away from the Spanish custodian and rifled the net to make it 1 – 0 to the home side in the 69^th minute.

The visitors’ misery was compounded a few minutes later, as substitute Sergei Semak produced a cool finish from a narrow angle to double his side’s lead. This came after a cross from Alexander Anyukov on the right flank made it all the way across the Liverpool box, to find Semak at the far post, and he made no mistake slotting it past the ‘keeper to make it 2-0 in the 72^nd minute.

Luis Suarez nearly fashioned a goal for Liverpool from a direct free-kick, which reached Malafeev at an awkward height and was spilled by him, but the Zenit defenders were on hand to clear ahead of Henderson and co. That was to be the last of the meaningful chances for the club from England as the Russian side managed to keep a clean sheet, and take a major step towards qualification with comfortable 2-goal cushion to take to Anfield.

Result: Zenit St. Petersburg (Hulk 69’, Sergei Semak 72’) 2-0 Liverpool