Zenit hosts Milan after squad woes

PETERSBURG - Agence France-Presse

EPA Photo

Russian champion Zenit St Petersburg goes into its Champions League clash with Italy’s giants AC Milan shadowed by a bitter internal feud and a lack of domestic league wins that has tarnished its early season.

Zenit has been riven by feuding after its big money signings of Brazilian star Hulk and Belgian Alex Witsel, the pair reportedly costing the club around 100 million euros. The moves sparked a revolt by some lesser-paid Russian stars.

The problems have been felt on the pitch - Zenit is seventh in the table with 18 points in 10 matches.
Zenit’s star players Alexander Kerzhakov and Igor Denisov, who rebelled over the $6.5 million annual salary being earned by Hulk, demanded a pay rise, which led to their demotion from the first team to the youth squad.

Kerzhakov was later forgiven for his outburst.

Russian captain Denisov is still training with the youth line-up and will definitely miss the match.