Standard Liege have a difficult task awaiting them, especially as the team they are about to face are in great form. Zenit has won seven consecutive games in all competitions and could be set to extend that streak when they take on their Belgian UEFA Champions League play-off round opponents on home turf. One of their most important weapons though might miss the match due to injury.
During the past weekend against Amkar, coach Andre Villas Boas of Zenit replaced Hulk due to a muscle spasm. Hulk had already gotten on the score sheet along with the young and highly talented Russian, Oleg Shatov. Shatov was also the man to score in the first leg and give Zenit the advantage that they currently possess. Villas Boas knows that in the absence of Hulk, he can still rely on Shatov to get him through.
Standard would be jealous of Zenit's injury list (other than Hulk, Zenit have no other injuries). Their injury list is much longer and is not just limited to one player. Ronny Stam is out with an ankle problem. Julien De Sart is currently dealing with a knee injury. Tortol Lumanza's groin problem has also ruled him out. Francois Marquet's knee problem sees him out of this one and finally, Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez is out with a knee issue as well.
These injuries do not mean that Standard do not have any threats. Their team is talented enough to compete with Zenit; the likes of Igor de Camargo up front can score quick goals which might turn the tie around. However, the Standard players might not be too confident at the moment, having drawn their weekend league match, 2-2 against KVC Westerlo. They had to come back from behind to do so. De Camargo bagged the equalizer in the second half.
Can Standard manage to come back? Or will Zenit stroll to the group stages of the UEFA Champions League?
Where to watch the match – live stream, start time, TV channels, live scores
Watch Zenit St. Petersburg vs R.Standard de Liege live on Tuesday, August 26, 2014:
In the US at 12.00 EST on:
- On TV: Directv, Fox Deportes
- Online & Apps: WATCH ESPN, Fox Sports GO, ESPN3 Online-App
In Canada at 12.00 ET on:
- On TV: Sportsnet World
- Online & Apps: Sportsnet World Now
In the UK at 17.00 BST on:
- On TV: Sky Sports 5/HD
- Online & Apps: Sky Go Extra, Sky Go
In Australia at 02.00 (Wednesday) on:
- On TV: ESPN3 Australia
For complete details of match listings and live scores, visit the Zenit vs Standard match page.
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