Zenit truly have been an inspirational side to watch since they've come to prominence in Europe. They pass & move with such proficiency and confidence it's hard to not be seduced into standing to attention and offering a round of applause with each play. Beautiful, elegant football from the Russians

Billy Grant, Lichfield, UK

it would be interesting to know which English club holds the record for total red cards ever awarded- i bet it's ManU but then I support Liverpoool

peter c, Devizes, Wessex

Kiev? :-))) Bring him to UEFA! And tell the Russians to get out of Monte Carlo! :-))) Or better send there some French speaking - Mr.S. may be?:-)))
Hope the IIIWW will be ONLY on sports terrains!

Plamen, Dubai,

Zenit outplayed Manchester United last night,just like they out classed Rangers in the UEFA cup final.
I also agree with Andrei, I can see Zenit rivaling some of the western clubs ala Kiev a decade ago.

Chris, Leeds,

"We are Russia, and we are better than England!"

Please, don't be confused by such expressions. Not everyone in Russia is as blind as these narrators.

We have a long way up in the international footbaal. And this year's achievements were something like a prepayment.

paul, Petersburg, Russia

We are Russia, and we are better than England!
Rommel, Petersburg, Russia

Rommel, are you sure, you're russian?

Zenit still has no substitutes. Players are tired and team struggle in russian league.
They must not sell Arshavin and buy a couple in defense for Champions League.

Nikita, Krasnoyarsk, Russia

Very good game, to be honest the result was a pleasant surprise. May Zenit not disappoint us vs real and juve

phil, st petersburg, russia

"We are Russia, and we are better than England!" = nationalistic silliness.
It's not silliness, it's a statement of fact )))

Alex, Cork/Petersburg, Ireland/Russia

Get real, Rommel, arrogance has never been rewarded. The only excuse for you is your obvious euphoria. Let's respect the others and keep moving in the right direction. Anyway, the team were really great that night.
A Zenit fan for 25 years now.

Andrey, St. Petersburg, Russia

Seems a few triflers and ungracious winners have made it onto the Times comments pages.

"We are Russia, and we are better than England!" = nationalistic silliness.

"in reality British football is mostly dull and boring and the best things are coming from foreigner players"
hahaha..INTER?

Eddie, Stockholm, Sweden

Well, Zenit will be a first club from the East to pose a serious threat in Champions Leage, since Dynamo Kiev flexed its muscles in 1998-1999...

Andrei, Washington/Moscow, USA/Russia

We are the champions! Come to Russia and we will win! If Arsenal go to Petersburg, we will score 5 goals! WE are the best team of the world. We are Russia, and we are better than England!

Rommel, Petersburg, Russia

Good match and a well-deserved win. Good luck Zenit!

Andrew, London,

we must congratulate winner, their perfermance was fantastic.

Robin, London, Plumstead, UK

deano, silly question.

The transfer window is kind of over (31st aug) and the only team interested in Arsha is tottenha which play nowhere near europe

marco, london,

So ... where is this SUPPOSED superiority of your premier league ... in reality British football is mostly dull and boring and the best things are coming from foreigner players.

Roberto, Monza, Italy

As I asked yesterday, even though it looks like he's staying in Russia, does Arshavin's inclusion in Zenit's team last night cup-tie him in Europe? It obviously counts as an official UEFA match as Scholes' red card keeps him out of a Champions League fixture.

Deano, Krefeld, Germany

Thank you for this great article - we still have some way to go to be among the true elite but it's been fantastic to see Zenit win so well deservedly! Definitely the way to go!

Alex, London/St Petersburg, UK/Russia

Your sub-title reads: Manchester - St. Petersburg: 1 : 0.
I guess it is part of the West anti-Russian propaganda.
(just kidding).

The correct score is 1 : 2. Russians won!

Alex, Los Angeles,