Zenit vs Rosenborg – Europa League Preview

Zenit vs Rosenborg – Europa League Preview

Zenit vs Rosenborg Ballklub – Thursday, October 19, 20:05 BT / 21:05 CET – Krestovsky Stadium – Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation

Zenit vs Rosenborg will take place at the Krestovsky Stadium. (Manuel Veth / Futbolgrad Network)

Zenit vs Rosenborg will take place at the Krestovsky Stadium. (Manuel Veth / Futbolgrad Network)

Zenit Saint Petersburg will aim to continue their excellent run of form in continental competitions after having comfortably won their two encounters so far in the 2017/18 edition of the UEFA Europa League. Their rivals on matchday 3 will be the Norwegian club Rosenborg Ballklub. Roberto Mancini’s men became the principal Group L favourites after scoring five past FK Vardar in Macedonia and subsequently defeating their only realistic group rivals Real Sociedad 3-1 at the Krestovsky Stadium.

Zenit will be the ones with the upper hand as this will be their second back-to-back Europa League game at home. Rosenborg are not a particularly strong side—they beat FK Vardar as expected, but only after conceding four to Real Sociedad on matchday 1. Zenit are no strangers to shocking defeats like the one suffered against minnows Arsenal Tula at home on Sunday, in the context of the Russian Football Premier League which Zenit are still leading even though they have not won in two games. A win against Rosenborg would mean an almost guaranteed qualification.

Sunday’s defeat against Arsenal Tula made Zenit’s handicap even more evident: creative shortage. Being forced to replace any part of the team’s backbone has only caused Mancini trouble, for it severely affects the team’s dynamism resulting in a lower number of chances created. It is like Christmas for any weaker side.

The constant need for Leandro Paredes in midfield is undoubtedly noticeable and made worse by players like Alexander Erokhin, who is by no means a bad resource, but one that has nevertheless been targeted by the press as responsible for slowing down Zenit’s attacking transition against defensive opposition in contrast with his teammates.

As it was expected, Paredes had to be brought on with the hopes of him finding the slightest fissure in Arsenal Tula’s defense, aided by the help of Dmitri Poloz, another desperate substitution. What seemed like a strike of bad luck is turning into a concern for Roberto Mancini and his team of specialists. These setbacks might not mean significant punishments at this stage of the season, but they will eventually become opportunities they cannot allow themselves to miss should they expect to achieve consistency, especially at determining stages.

As for the Norwegians, they will reach the match in quite a positive manner since they have not lost in five games, a combined record of four wins (including the one against Vardar) and a draw. A regular participant in this competition, Rosenborg has everything a team needs to upset Zenit these days, including a striker as experienced as Nicklas Bendtner up front. Although not a dominant side by any means, Rosenborg will provide the perfect test for Zenit as they are still struggling to overcome their limitations.

Zenit vs Rosenborg Ballklub – Players to look out for:

Leandro Paredes #5 – Zenit Saint Petersburg

Paredes’ contribution to Zenit’s midfield is beyond question. The Argentine has everything to become a club legend, as he is a key part of Mancini’s project and has become a kind of a leader on the pitch after Domenico Criscito. In the meantime, though, the puppetmaster will be crucial to exploiting the gaps Rosenborg’s defence will probably forget to patch. His input is indispensable while Zenit push forward, relieving the likes of Aleksandr Kokorin, Sebastian Driussi and Artem Dzyuba from creative duties.

Leandro Paredes is the creative pivot of Zenit's side. (Photo by Epsilon/Getty Images)

Leandro Paredes is the creative pivot of Zenit’s side. (Photo by Epsilon/Getty Images)

Nicklas Bendtner #9 – Rosenborg Ballklub

If there is anyone capable of earning an excellent victory for Rosenborg in the most epic of ways, that has to be Danish cult-hero Nicklas Bendtner. After a spell at Arsenal, his career stagnated in Germany after he signed for Wolfsburg, where he was never able to recover his previous form. Today, having paid a fleeting visit to Nottingham Forest, playing seven matches and scoring the fantastic figure of one goal, he finds himself within the comfortable environment of Norwegian football where he has already scored three times the previously mentioned amount and is even enjoying European competition. Bendtner is the player Zenit will need to look out for if they want to avoid another shocking upset.

Zenit vs Rosenborg – Match Stats:

  • The teams met in the 2005/06 UEFA Cup round of 32, Vlastimil Petržela’s Zenit progressing with a 2-0 win in Trondheim and a 2-1 success against Per-Mathias Hogmø’s side in St Petersburg.
  • Zenit have won all four of their games against Norwegian clubs in UEFA competition, including those previous two against Rosenborg.
  • Five of Rosenborg’s six matches against Russian teams have ended in defeat (W1 L5), including all three of their previous games in Russia.
  • Norwegian champions in 2016 and current league leaders, Rosenborg are without a win in six group stage away matches (D1 L5) since a 2-1 victory at Rapid Wien in September 2012.

 Futbolgrad Network Prediction: Zenit vs Rosenborg 4-1

Zenit vs Rosenborg – Possible Lineups:

FC Zenit Saint Petersburg

Formation: 4-3-3

Lunev – Smolnikov, Mammana, Ivanovic, Criscito – Kranevitter, Paredes, Kuzyaev – Kokorin, Dzyuba, Driussi

Coach: Roberto Mancini

Rosenborg Ballklub

Formation: 4-3-3

Hansen – Hedenstad, Reginiussen, Skjelvik, Meling – Jensen, Lundemo, Konradsen – De Lanlay, Bendtner, Adegbenro

Coach: Kåre Ingebrigtsen

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Nicolás Miremont is a born and raised Boca Juniors fan, but his heart has a special place for Manchester United, Zenit Saint Petersburg and Dynamo Kiev. Miremont loves to support the underdogs. Miremont enjoys watching smaller competitions especially those from Eastern Europe, but also his native Argentina. Follow him on Twitter @Miremont_Nico

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