- Zenit triumph in the European Super Cup, beating Man United 2-1 in Monaco
Zenit St. Petersburg did it again. Beating off tough competition to take home the European Super Cup to mother Russia for the first time. Following up last spring’s success, when they carried home the UEFA-cup from Manchester with some style, they now defeated Champions League winners Man United 2-1 in Monaco.
Manchester United may have started out slow this season, notably hampered by the absence of Ronaldo through injury, but, there was no mistaking in Monaco: Zenit was the considerably better team for 75 minutes. United got a goal back late on, courtesy of Vidic, yet the fight back would be in vain. Zenit controlled much of the game and looked much sharper and deadlier in the last third of the pitch. A well deserved victory and one that may alter the future axis of power in European football.
The former Soviet Union had some fantastic footballers and got some notable triumphs along the way, but was unable to make a permanent place for themselves among the powerhouses of European football. Unconstrained by the political isolation of the Soviet Union, the new Russia of today, bristles with a fresh form of confidence.
Zenit were not the first. CSKA Moscow burst onto the scene a few years ago, taking home the UEFA-cup and signing some notable names, namely from Brazil. Zenit, backed financially by oil giants Gazprom, look like they will be a force to be reckoned with in the future to come.
The Russian national team, under the crafty and cunning leadership of Dutchman Guus Hiddink, looked equally impressive in this summers European Championship. With more experience at that level, the Russian national team will be a country to look out for in future tournaments.
Catching eyes at the Euro’s, several Russian players have come under the radar of some of the continents classical powerhouses, plus Tottenham, and the added international experience that could be the consequence of players moving abroad - would undoubtedly help the national team in the long run.
While the Russian national team, the Russian league and top teams, such as Zenit St. Petersburg, are making great strides in Europe; the fact is still that the top players have their eyes on earning moves to Western European top clubs. Although it will benefit the national team, as mentioned above, it might be a bit disturbing for Russian teams that they don’t quite have the pull to get, and keep, the very top players. For ambitious teams such as Zenit this must be a bit worrying.
As for now, Zenit look very impressive indeed, and their fast paced counter attacking football - will be a hard nut to crack for their opponents in Europe. Zenit seem to have the potential to go all the way in the Champions League this year already, but might want to work a bit more on their fitness levels, based on the Super Cup display. Man United came back well in the last 15 and could even, with some luck, have snatched a draw. Zenit players were looking notably tired, as their playing style requires a lot of tiring runs up and down the field. New signing Danny from Porto impressed meanwhile with his well taken goal which also became the match winner in the end. Looks like another good signing for Zenit.
It will be an interesting campaign ahead for all St. Petersburg fans and the future looks bright for Zenit and Russian football indeed…
