Zenit travelled away for the second time in four days to face Rubin in Kazan, looking to return in positive results with one game left for the winter break in the Russian League.
Under snow showers with temperature falling to -15C and Villas Boas setting his team without Garcia, Hulk (ruled out) and Danny (bench) Zenit’s creativity was limited with Axel’s shot going wide in the game’s first chance.
Lodygin had a quiet first half while on the other side Ryazantsev’s beautiful dribble and shot was unluckily stopped by Ryzhikov’s right post. Pitch was getting heavier by the minute leaving few chances for rational advancing with teams going on a goalless draw to half time.
Snow was now falling intensely and Zenit’s luck wasn’t on their side as Ryazantsev’s saw his second shot hitting Rubin’s posts during the early minutes of the second half.
Axel Witsel was the one to finally unlock Kazan’s defence after a great team effort with Rondon on the assist that found the Belgian sliding in Zenit’s first and only goal of the game as Rubin’s pressure didn’t bring the equalizer.
The Blue-White-Sky blues now face second place team Krasnodar on Saturday, in the last home game for 2014.
