Zenit Overview
Zenit are no strangers to the Champions League but by virtue of being beaten by CSKA Moscow into second place by a single point last season, they were forced to settle for a spot in the Europa League.
Celtic celebrated in spirit with the Russians in 2008 when they defeated Rangers in UEFA Cup final 2-0 which remains their only triumph in European football.
How are they doing this season?
Lokomotiv Moscow are leading the way in the Russian Premier League but Zenit are firmly entrenched in the race for the second Champions League qualification spot.
Currently occupying fourth place on 36 points, Zenit have a game in hand on Spartak Moscow and Krasnodar above them and could jump above them if they avoid defeat in that game in hand by virtue of their superior goal difference.
Europa League performance?
Zenit were one of just four teams along with Atalanta, Salzburg and AEK Athens to go unbeaten in the group stages but the Russians were the only team to win five of their six games and finished with the most points in the group stages.
Their 17 goals make them the top scorers in the competition and their +12 goal difference is also the most impressive among all group stage entrants.
Dangermen?
The most prolific goalscorers in the competition boast two of the top scorers of the Europa League campaign.
Argentine winger Emiliano Rigoni currently leads the race for the Golden Boot with six goals and one assist thus far, averaging a goal every 77 minutes.
Teammate and striker Aleksandr Kokorin is also in the mix, bagging five goals and two assists thus far.
The manager
Roberto Mancini is no stranger to British football having enjoyed a successful spell at Manchester City, overseeing their magical title-winning season in 2012.
After a year out of the game, Mancini returned to management in the summer with Zenit and has turned their fortunes around.
Mancini has come up against Celtic once before in his managerial career, coaching Inter to a 4-3 aggregate win against the Bhoys in 2015.
Style of play
As the stats earlier suggested, Zenit like to play an open attacking style of football, but their defensive structure cannot be overlooked either.
In the Russian Premier League, their 13 goals conceded in 19 games hands them the best defensive record in the division, and they only conceded five times in the Europa League group stages.
Mancini times are usually free-flowing passing units and this Zenit side are no different. With Argentina internationals Leandro Paredes and Matias Kranevitter in midfield, they usually dominate possession, averaging 57.8% of the ball per game.
Previous meetings?
This meeting between the two sides will be their first in history having never been drawn against each other in European club competition prior to this season.
Verdict
It’s no doubt that Celtic have received one of the toughest draws on the table in Zenit, but they should be confident of getting a result.
Playing the home leg first could prove decisive as Brendan Rodgers’ side must avoid conceding the away goal.
Zenit are always a threat with possession but defensively they’re a tough nut to crack also. It will be a good test to see where Celtic rank among their peers in Europe.
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