Kerzhakov: Freezing conditions no advantage
Thermometers are set to drop to minus 15 degrees centigrade at the Petrovsky Stadium tonight, with the freezing conditions likely to affect the visiting team more than the hosts.
However, the Portuguese side will be tough opponents after they reached the last 16 by topping a group which contained Manchester United, who were knocked out of the competition thanks in part to the 2-2 draw at home to Benfica.
Despite this, Kerzhakov remains confident that the Russian Premier League champions can get a result tonight.
“It’s not very pleasant both for southern players and for northern players like us to play when it’s below minus 10 outside,” the striker said.
“Basically the weather conditions are the same for everybody. I wouldn’t talk about that as being an advantage. The fact that we’re playing at home, and that the stadium will be full — that’s where our advantage lies.
“We’ve probably had to play in weather like this more often than our opponent has but I don’t think that’s an advantage for us.
“We like warmth too and like to play in good football weather. This weather is not good for football.
“But I think our fans will come and fill the stadium, and that’s probably the factor that will help us win the match in the end.”
Zenit’s Portuguese attacking midfielder Danny will miss the clash after being ruled out for the rest of the campaign with ruptured knee cruciate ligaments, with 20-year-old Maksim Kanunnikov set to take his place.
But Kerzhakov, who has scored 16 goals in 22 league appearances this season, believes his side can overcome the loss of their key man and get a result ahead of the return leg on March 6.
“We have to play for those who can’t take part in the match and I think we can manage that. We have a lot of players who can replace the injured guys, and I think we’ll do so,’’ he said.
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