It is top v bottom of Group F, as Zenit host Lazio for the first time-ever in this early 5.55pm kick-off.
The group currently see Lazio and Bruges leading with four points, Borussia Dortmund follows with three, while Zenit are yet to score a point.
A meeting that could reveal a lot in terms of the battle for going to the knockout stages. Edoardo Stella will be taking you through the action as it happens.
Starting Line-up for the hosts:
Starting line-up for the visitors:
Zenit team news: Manager Sergej Semak confirms nine out of the 11 players that started against Borussia Dortmund last Tuesday. Magomed Ozdoev and Yury Zhirkov take the place of Sebastian Driussi and Wendel, in what should be a 5-4-1 formation.
Lazio team news: The visitors show up without Golden Boot winner Ciro Immobile, as well as important players like Luis Alberto, Lucas Leiva, Manuel Lazzari and Thomas Strakosha, plus long-term injured Stefan Radu and captain Senad Lulic.
The team from Rome is currently under investigation by the Serie A due to the presence of Strakosha, Lucas Leiva and Immobile against Torino on the weekend. The three had to miss the game with Bruges due to Coronavirus, but came back to play and now will be out again.
3‘ Zenit are already on their second corner-kick, as Akpa-Akpro is booked for fouling Barrios.
5‘ It’s worth knowing that Lazio have scored two goals before the 15’ minute in the Champions League, but for the moment Zenit look on the attack.
6‘ Another yellow card, this time for Daler Kuzyaev.
On the counter-side to Lazio’s aggressive starts, FC Zenit have only attempted three shots on target in the competition, as their only goal came from an own-goal.
10‘ Very confused start to the game. Zenit have had the most possession, but Lazio keep pressing and are up for the challenge.
12‘ Joaquin Correa hits the outside of the post straight from the corner! The ball gave the illusion of the goal by hitting the post and the side netting, but Mikhail Kerzhakov seemed to have that covered.
16‘ Can Zenit turn their fortunes around? They come from three straight defeats, including two in the Champions League. Lazio, instead, were protagonist of a major come-back on Sunday, scoring two goals in extra-time to win 4-3 away at Torino.
19‘ Slight chance for Lazio, as striker Muriqi attempts a long-shot, after Dejan Lovren gave away the ball to him. It’s the biggest occasion of the night, which is quite something considering the ball ended well wide.
23‘ Lazio’s lack of creativity is quite evident, as the Biancocelesti are letting Zenit run the game. The absences of Immobile and Luis Alberto is a major blow, as the two contributed to 25 assists and 49 goals last season.
30‘ Good spell of possession by Lazio, which took multiple men up, but are lacking the creativity and dynamism to create chances.
It’s been a very poor half-hour.
32‘ EROKHIN SCORES! Cross from Zhirkov from the left, who meets Dzyuba. The striker lays it to Kuzyaev, who plays it back to him and then the no.22 is on the end of it. There were four headers in the build-up after Zhirkov’s cross! 1-0.
35‘ Lazio will need to be more creative now if they want to draw. They have not managed to create any dangerous chances so far.
37‘ Muriqi tries his best and gets his head on the end of a Marusic cross, but the effort goes over the bar. Lazio seem to have woken up a bit.
41‘ Zenit have dropped back now, as Lazio are pushing forward with the wingers and bringing more men up top.
44‘ The last ten minutes have mostly seen Lazio keeping possession in Zenit’s half, but they have not created a chance yet.
It’s a goal from Alexander Erokhin that is currently deciding the game at St.Petersburg. Lack of creativity was evident for both sides, as the hosts managed to score with the only chance of the half for either team.
Embed from Getty ImagesSpectacular landscape of the Saint Petersburg Stadium.
Can Lazio get points out of this game? They managed to get a good spell of possession towards the end of the half, but will need more to find a goal. You certainly cannot fault Muriqi’s effort tonight, but the Kosovar has lacked end-product. With Luis Alberto out, Correa should try to step up and set a spark for the eagles, but the Argentinian hasn’t been much involved.
Embed from Getty Images48‘ Against the expectations, it’s FC Zenit who have started the second half on the attack.
52‘ Danilo Cataldi is coming on to replace captain Marco Parolo. Simone Inzaghi tries to bring on a change in midfield, hoping of finding more creativity.
55‘ Sergey Milinkovic-Savic has also been an unjustified absent from this game. The Serbian loses the ball, releasing Erokhin on the counter-attack. It’s a crucial sliding tackle by Hoedt from the edge of the box to save Lazio.
58‘ Milinkovic-Savic now receives a yellow card for fouling Santos. Not the best of games by the Serbian.
60‘ The game might just get interesting, as we finally get to see Andreas Pereira and Felipe Caicedo, who replace Muriqi and Fares.
Embed from Getty Images61‘ We have a substitution for Zenit, as the goalscorer Erokhin is replaced by Andrei Mostovoy
62‘ Tremendous impact from the 22 year-old Mostovoy, who leaves Hoedt on the place, but shoots just wide!
69‘ Still no chance for Pereira and Caicedo. The Ecuadorian striker, however, is a specialist of late goals. Of his 11 since the start of last season, a whopping four have come after the 90’ minute!
71‘ Free kick from a very interesting position for Lazio: central and near the edge of the box. Milinkovic-Savic is a potential taker, but Cataldi is up for it. The Italian has scored a few, most remarkably the winner in last year’s Supercoppa Italiana against Juventus.
73‘ Very poorly taken by Cataldi, who hits the wall, as Hoedt’s follow-up looked more like a defensive clearance than a shot.
75‘ Just wide from Caicedo, whose diving header comes so close, after Milinkovic-Savic’s lay-up. It’s the first threat from Lazio in Zenit’s penalty box.
77‘ Double yellow card, one apiece, as Caicedo’s challenge is followed by Barrios’ push to Correa. The Argentinian was not happy from a previous challenge, and the Columbian responded.
79‘ Good initiative by Correa. We finally see the striker’s talent, who creates a chance from himself, but Kerzhakov blocks his low shot.
82‘ IT’S CAICEDO OUT OF NOWHERE! Clean strike from Acerbi’s low cross. The striker is proving a game changer for Lazio, who get rescued to a vital draw! 1-1.
84‘ Fourth substitution for Lazio, as defender Luiz Felipe comes on to replace Correa.
In the meantime, Reina is booked for time wasting. Is this a sign of Lazio accepting the draw?
86‘ So close for Milinkovic-Savic. The Serbian’s left-foot volley comes agonisingly near to the post. It’s a final spell with chances at either end. Can there be a twist?
89‘ Very unpredictable end to the game now. Reina blocks a dangerous cross, following another shot at the other end by Milinkovic-Savic.
92‘ Lazio come from two extra-time goals on Sunday, but it’s Zenit who are finishing on the attack.
94‘ OFFSIDE GOAL! Mostovoy is denied, as assistman Dzyuba is found offside.
What a mistake that was by Milinkovic-Savic, who played a perfect pass, but for Zenit player Sutormin.
He’s extremely lucky to get away with it.
Full time. FC Zenit v Lazio 1-1
Not the best performance for Lazio, who are blocked by Zenit, but they should consider themselves satisfied to get a point, particularly with all the absences.
It was a very confused game, with spells by both sides. At the end, the draw is the correct result, with Caicedo rescuing his team with a late goal.
Not the best week for Italian teams, as Lazio’s draw with the bottom of the group follows the two defeats for Inter and Atalanta.
