Zenit St. Petersburg and Bayer Leverkusen kick off the fourth Champion League group stage matchday on Tuesday, with the Russian outfit welcoming their German Group C challengers to the Petrovsky Stadium. It will no doubt prove to be a very tense affair, with this group one of the most competitive in the entire draw.
Zenit St. Petersburg vs. Bayer Leverkusen, 2014 UEFA Champions League: Time, TV schedule and game preview
Zenit St. Petersburg host Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday, with all still to play for in Group C.
Alex Grimm
Heading into the round, Leverkusen sit top of the group, but they’re only one point above second-placed Monaco, and two clear of third-placed Zenit. André Villas-Boas’ Russian outfit has looked very strong domestically so far this season, and with home advantage, they will no doubt cause problems for Roger Schmidt’s side.
Key player - Karim Bellarabi (Bayer Leverkusen)
One of the stars of Leverkusen’s season so far has been winger Karim Bellarabi, who was rewarded for his fine form with his first German international cap in a Euro 2016 qualifier against Poland in October. Usually deployed on the right of Leverkusen’s attacking midfield trio, the former Braunschweig man will no doubt cause problems for Zenit in this match.
Key matchup - Hulk vs. Tin Jedvaj
Bayer Leverkusen will be without left-back left-back Wendell, who is suspended after being sent off in the last match. That will likely mean young Roma loanee Tin Jedvaj being drafted in out of his natural position in the centre of defence, which is no doubt a worry. He’ll be going up against Zenit’s most dangerous attacker in Brazilian winger Hulk, in a battle which could well be decisive.
Zenit St. Petersburg injuries and suspensions
Out: Viktor Fayzulin (knee). In doubt: Igor Smolinkov (foot).
Bayer Leverkusen injuries and suspensions
Out: Wendell (suspended), Stefan Reinartz (eye socket), Gonzalo Castro (thigh), Simon Rolfes (ankle). In doubt: None.
Zenit should have a full-strength team to choose from save for Fayzulin, thought the same can’t be said of Leverkusen. Aside from the suspended Wendell, they’ll be without Stefan Reinartz, Gonzalo Castro and Simon Rolfes through injury.
Match Date/Time: Tuesday, 8 p.m. local, 12 p.m. ET
Venue: Petrovsky Stadium, St. Petersburg, Russia
TV: Fox Soccer Plus, Directv (U.S.), Sportsnet World (Canada), Sky Sports 5/HD (U.K.), NTV+ Football, NTV Russia (Russia), Sky Sport 1/HD (Germany)
Online: ESPN3 Online-App, Fox Soccer 2Go (U.S.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada), NTV+ Sport Online (Russia), Sky Go Deutschland (Germany)
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