MX23RW : Tuesday, November 5 13:37:36| >> :120:12333:12333:
[monks data]
Zenit St Petersburg
Champions League | Group Stage
Nov 26, 2013 at 5pm UK
 
Atletico Madrid logo

1-1

Alderweireld (73' og.)
FT(HT: 0-0)
Lopez (52')

Match Analysis: Zenit St Petersburg 1-1 Atletico Madrid

Sports Mole takes a closer look at Zenit St Petersburg's 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Zenit St Petersburg kept their hopes of reaching the last 16 of the Champions League alive on Tuesday night as they drew 1-1 at home to Atletico Madrid in Group G.

The visitors took the lead against the run of play at the start of the second half as Adrian Lopez slotted home following a quick counter-attack.

However, the home side salvaged a point in the 73rd minute as Igor Smolnikov's deflected cross looped over the head over goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and into the net.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at the action between the two teams in Russia.

Match statistics:

Zenit:
Shots 12
On target 9
Possession 61%
Corners 6
Fouls 17

Atletico:
Shots 9
On target 4
Possession 39%
Corners 2
Fouls 15

Was the result fair?

Zenit will feel very unlucky not to have come away with the three points after dominating for long periods of the match. However, their lack of finishing gave the visitors a chance of getting something out of the game, which they did.

Zenit's performance

The Russians were in control from almost the first whistle as they hustled well in midfield while showing plenty of liveliness in attack. They would have sealed the win in comfortable fashion had it not been for their poor execution in the final third. Hulk and Aleksandr Kerzhakov in particular could have had about four goals between them were it not for some wayward finishing when it mattered. A win would have seen Zenit put one foot in the last 16, but now their fate hangs in the balance.

Atletico's performance

The Spaniards looked every bit the team that had nothing to play for as they put in a sluggish display for most of the match. Their passing, movement and general creativity was all below par, allowing Zenit to dictate proceedings. Diego Simeone's side only came alive once they opened the scoring and could have added to their tally late on. That said, they came away from Russia having avoided defeat and with their unbeaten record in this season's competition intact.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Hulk: Zenit's big Brazilian striker was a handful for the Atletico defence throughout as his powerful runs and ferocious shooting caused the visitors plenty of problems.

Biggest gaffe

Atletico goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois had a moment to forget for Zenit's equaliser as Igor Smolnikov's deflected cross looped over his head and into the net when it looked as if he thought the ball was going out of play.

Referee performance

In what was a fiery atmosphere, Martin Atkinson did well to allow the game to be played at a quick pace and with some tasty challenges to boot.

What next?

Zenit: The Russians return to league action on Sunday with a trip to Terek Grozny.

Atletico: Madrid's La Liga campaign continues on Saturday when they travel to Elche.

ID:120410: cacheID:120410:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5120:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Zenit Saint-Petersburg's Andrey Arshavin vies with Atletico Madrid's Miranda during their UEFA Champions League group G match in Saint-Petersburg on November 26, 2013
Read Next:
Courtois blunder gifts Zenit draw
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Aston Villa33009
2Liverpool33009
3Man City32107
4B. Leverkusen32107
5Brest32107
6Inter Milan32107
7Monaco32107
8Sporting Lisbon32107
9Arsenal32107
10Real Madrid32016
11Lille32016
12Feyenoord32016
13Barcelona32016
14Dortmund32016
15Benfica32016
16Juventus32016
17Atalanta31205
18Stuttgart31114
19Sparta Prague31114
20PSG31114
21Celtic31114
22Dinamo Zagreb31114
23AC Milan31023
24Bayern31023
25Girona31023
26Brugge31023
27Atletico31023
28PSV30212
29Bologna30121
30Shakhtar30121
31RB Leipzig30030
32Sturm Graz30030
33Salzburg30030
34Red Star30030
35Young Boys30030
36Slovan Bratislava30030


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!