Russian league restarted after the three month winter break with 4th place (tied) teams Krasnodar and Zenit fighting their way up to reach Moscow teams and second place surprise Rostov.
A couple mistakes from both teams and an easy first half for the keepers with Smolnov’s shot slicing Lodygin’s right post being the only chance after 45′ minutes of game-play.
Villas Boas mixed the cards, in hope of getting something better than the point, by introducing Shatov, Kokorin and Shatov, but Zenit still had trouble reaching Kritsyuk’s posts who kept the clean sheet minutes before the final whistle on Hulk’s and Zenit’s biggest chance, from a foul kick right at the edge of the box.
The two clubs left with a point each and still share 4th place, six points clear out of CSKA Moscow who have a game less, while St. Petersburg prepares for the return leg against Benfica for the Champions League’s last 16 on Wednesday.
