European Champions League

Zenit 2 - Valencia 0

Zenit: Lodygin; Smolnikov (Yusupov 64’), Garay, Lombaerts, Criscito; Luis Neto (Evseev 86’), Witsel; Shatov (Ryazantsev 84’), Danny, Hulk; Dyzuba. 4-2-3-1.
Valencia: Domenech; Cancelo (De Paul 79’), Abdennour, Rubén Vego, Gayà; Dani Parejo, Enzo Pérez (Danilo Barbosa 73’), André Gomes; Feghouli, Paco Alcácer, Rafa Mir (Santi Mina 56‘). 4-3-3.

Goals:
1-0. 15. Shatov. Picked up Dyzuba pass and steered shot wide of Domenech.
2-0. 74. Dyzuba. Beat keeper after quick passing move with Danny and Shatov.

Valencia drop to third in their group after a 2-0 defeat at Zenit, the Russian side ensuring top spot after a fifth win in a row. The match was played in freezing temperatures, and Gayà headed a deflected shot off the line before Hulk and Dyzuba combined to put Shatov through to open the scoring in the fifteenth minute. Nuno had surprisingly included 18-year old forward Rafa Mir in his line-up, and the youngster went close a couple of times, as did Paco Alcácer, who was pulled up for a non-existent offside when free on goal, and then just failed to connect with a Dani Parejo assist shortly before the break. After the restart however Domenech had to save from a Criscito back-heel and a Hulk corner, and Graya headed another chance just wide. Substitute Santi Mina had a strike ruled out for another borderline offside decision, but with a quarter of an hour Dyzuba put the game beyond Valencia’s reach after a quick passing move with Danny and Shatov. Any possibility the Ches had of salvaging something ended when Rubén Vezo was sent off for a late tackle on Shatov, and Gent’s late victory over Olympique Lyon in the other group tie means that they now have to beat Lyon in their last game and hope that the Belgians don’t win theirs against Zenit.