Zenit praise defiant Torino

• André Villas-Boas was a relieved coach as Zenit ousted Torino despite a 1-0 loss
• Quarter-final first-leg suspensions worry Zenit coach
• Zenit defender Domenico Criscito praises Torino performance
• Giampiero Ventura and Kamil Glik proud of Torino showing
• Quarter-final draw streamed live at 13.00CET on Friday

André Villas-Boas, Zenit coach
We played a pretty good defensive game, but we weren't incisive in attack so we struggled. We wanted to score and wrap up the tie, but we didn't succeed. Torino only scored at the end, when they had four players up front, and ultimately I'm satisfied with the character the team showed on the pitch. I think we deserved to go through.

The last six minutes [of added time] were very tough, but the team held their nerve and I really appreciated that. Tonight we didn't show our quality because Torino pressed us very well and never let us play effective football. They pushed really hard.

Now we will have four important players suspended in the quarter-finals; I hope to find some good solutions and play the second leg at home. From this point on, the dream starts to take shape and all teams play with more bravery and reinforce their ambition.

Domenico Criscito, Zenit defender
I think Torino deserve plaudits because they proved they are a special club. We are happy with the outcome, but not with the display. We were a little bit scared in the closing minutes and the final whistle came as a relief for us. Torino defended very well and didn't allow us to hit them on the counterattack. Tonight we didn't play a brilliant game, but the most important thing was to reach the quarter-finals.

Giampiero Ventura, Torino coach
I think we played the game we had to play and we would have deserved to take it to extra time, considering Zenit didn't get a single shot on target while we had plenty of chances. The team would have deserved it and so too would the fans. The only real disappointment is the first leg and the red card. I'd like to pass on my compliments to Zenit.

I'm disappointed because I think we played maturely and tactically astutely without letting one of the best teams in Europe get a shot on our goal. Our objective tonight was to go through and to promote the image of a team who, if they get things right, are second to none. We failed with the first objective, but I'd say we hit the second one.

I wouldn't say this game should be seen as the end for Torino, rather as a place to start from. When you are knocked out like this, you find yourself at a crossroads – you can lift your chin and move on with pride and I think my players should be proud of what they have done.

Kamil Glik, Torino defender
I think their goalkeeper [Yuri Lodygin] was incredible tonight. Despite the outcome [of the tie] we are proud of what we have done and I want to thank our magnificent fans, who urged us on until the very end. If you compare the quality of the two teams there is no match, and we are definitely proud to have caused so many problems for a big club like Zenit.