EUROPA LEAGUE Group D: Dundalk v Zenit St Petersburg
DUNDALK defender Andy Boyle believes it would be a mistake to pay too much respect to illustrious Europa League opponents Zenit St Petersburg ahead of tonight’s sell-out clash in Tallaght.
The Lilywhites have already made history this season after becoming the first League of Ireland team to gain a point in the group stages of the competition – drawing 1-1 with Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar – and they went one better by beating Macaibi Tel Aviv 1-0 at Tallaght Stadium at the end of last month.
Champions League regulars Zenit St Petersburg are a step up in class for Dundalk tonight – but Boyle isn’t daunted by the club’s toughest assignment to date.
“If you look too much into it, you can over-respect them,” said the classy central defender.
“That’s something we haven’t done in the past and something we’ll make sure we don’t do tomorrow night.”
Captain Stephen O’Donnell (hamstring) has been ruled out of tonight’s clash while manager Stephen Kenny has doubts over Chris Shields, Sean Gannon and John Mountney.
Zenit are unbeaten after 10 rounds of games in the Russian Premier League and came from three goals down to win 4-3 in their opening Europa League tie against Macaibi Tel Aviv.
They rammed home their superiority in Group D by thrashing AZ Alkmaar 5-0 and warmed up for tonight’s clash in Dublin with a pair of domestic wins over rivals Spartak Moscow and Ural.
Juventus target Axel Witsel and former Man City ace Javi Garcia form a solid midfield base while they have an embarrassment of attacking riches, including Brazilian international Guiliano and Russia star Alexander Korkorin.
“We know they’re going to be a good side,” added Boyle, “but we’ve proved over the last few months that we can handle ourselves in Europe.”
