Zenit look to kick on from Porto success
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
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Aleksandr Kerzhakov said FC Zenit St Petersburg's UEFA Champions League bid starts "anew" after a 3-1 win over FC Porto, whose keeper urged his team to bounce back quickly.
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Following a 3-1 victory against FC Porto which kick-started FC Zenit St Petersburg's Group G challenge, Aleksandr Kerzhakov said the Russian side's UEFA Champions League campaign now starts "anew". Team-mate Roman Shirokov played down his two-goal performance, while visiting goalkeeper Helton urged Porto to "react quickly" and show their character after a rare defeat.
Roman Shirokov, Zenit midfielder
It was a tough game, particularly because it didn't start in our favour. We were a bit too nervous, but when we calmed down after the break everything began to work better for us. Such a convincing win tells you nothing, though it was a deserved result. Spaces began to appear in Porto's defence as the game wore on because they had to come at us. I don't think I played outstanding. It was an average game for Roman Shirokov; it just happened that I scored two goals. The key to our victory was our defence, because we didn't allow them to create many chances.
Aleksandr Kerzhakov, Zenit forward
We adopted the correct tactics, pressed well all over the pitch and converted our advantage into goals when we were a man up. I won't judge Porto's display but I know for sure that we played very well. I'm happy for everyone who played, for every fan that supported us. We now start the campaign anew. We must not look back at our previous results but instead play only to win in the future − our destiny is in our hands.
Helton, Porto goalkeeper
We pressed a lot and got a goal at the beginning, but then we had a player sent off. Now we must react quickly. It is at these times that we see the squad's character. Last season was great and everybody has high expectations; that's normal. We will get stronger after this loss. We try to learn when things go wrong.
Hulk, Porto forward
We started very well and went 1-0 up, but with ten players it's very difficult. Now we must stand tall and react. We are not on a good run [three games without a win] but now we have to try to make things better, starting with the next match.
