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SEMSHOV: WE MUST SECURE EUROPA LEAGUE BERTH
Igor Semshov was one of the best Zenit players
in the first leg of their Europa League playoff round tie against Portuguese
Nacional. Today Saint Petersburg fans wait continuation of his fine streak
as Zenit welcome Nacional at Petrovsky stadium.
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Igor Semshov Photo SPORT EXPRESS
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"By the highest standards we should treat all coming
matches as the most significant games, even now when we still stand good
chances to fight for the Russian Premier League medals", said Semshov
to Sport Express.
"However our return match against Nacional really stands out because
we have unique chance to advance to the group stage of the second best
European club competition. Opportunity to play at so high level is necessary
for professional growth and we will do our best tonight".
"This season is chaotic for us and as a result we are the seventh
team in the Russian championship standings. Departures of our leaders
and change of head coach couldn't but affect our result".
"But now everything has settled down and we are regaining our former
confidence. This process is not short, but success in Europa League is
really very important for us today".
"We don't want to think about defeat. Zenit must pave our way to
the group stage but everything will be decided on the field".
"Victory is necessary for us and our rivals think the same way, especially
after successful first match. Our chances are equal ahead of return leg
match and only game will show which team deserves victory".
"Maybe we were guilty of our loss. We started the game well and several
mistakes made us catch up with our opponents and we needed to erase two-goal
deficit. We tried to get back to the game, but in vain".
"It's good that we scored the third goal and now we will be satisfied
with a victory with any goal-difference. If we get it everybody will forget
about the first match".
"Of course Zenit will introduce changes in our play comparing with
the previous game. First of all it's necessary to play more aggressively".
"Nacional is a good team, but their problems in defence are evident
that showed our clash in Portugal. We analyzed their play and all we need
to do now is to make use of our knowledge".
"I am sure that result of this clash is in our hands. It will be
difficult to achieve successful result without showing ideal football
and being absolutely concentrated on what we are doing".
Sport
Express Daily, 27 Aug 2009
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