The Zenit Dossier

May 11 2008 By Scott Mcdermott In Alkmaar

VYACHESLAV MALAFEEV

INSTALLED as Russia's No.1 keeper after Euro 2004. Born and bred in St Petersburg, he has made 169 appearances for Zenit in nine years. Didn't look comfortable last night at cross balls or for Pelle's opener.

IVICA KRIZANAC

STRONG Croat defender joined from Polish side Dyskobolia Grodzisk. Was regarded as one of the Pole's best players before heading for Russia but his pairing with Roman Shirokov never looked compact against AZ and was too easily split open.

ALEJANDRO DOMINGUEZ

WON youth caps for Argentina but left River Plate for Rubin Kazan in 2004. Zenit broke the Russian Premier League's transfer record when they splashed out seven million euros on the wide man. Was fantastic in the semifinal win over Bayern and likes to switch flanks with Andrey Arshavin.

FATIH TEKKE

TURKISH striker has had three different spells in his homeland with Trabzonspor but joined Dick Advocaat's side in 2006 for £7m. The 30-year-old hitman is mobile enough and likes to link up with midfield. Doesn't look a major goal threat though or someone who'll get in behind Rangers' defence.

ANDREY ARSHAVIN

ZENIT'S talisman and the main danger to Gers' hopes in midweek. Russian international is a legend in St Petersburg for his role in their title success last season. Drifts in off the left flank and often swaps wings. A gifted player who must be watched closely.

RADEK SIRL

CZECH can play in midfield but will likely go to left-back against Gers. Dived in to a few mis-timed tackles last night and was caught wrong side a few times against Alkmaar. Plenty of energy though and likes to get forward.

ROMAN SHIROKOV

CENTRE-BACK who can be deployed in midfield. The Russian has played for several clubs in his homeland and is now vital in Advocaat's defence. Showed he can finish at the other end last night by scoring but at the back looked vulnerable to pacy striker.

KONSTANTIN ZYRYANOV

LATE developer who was Russia's player of the year in 2007. Defensivetype midfielder but can do everything in the engine room. Russia star has recovered admirably from the deaths of his wife and daughter in 2002. Tidy but not spectacular.

ALEXANDER ANYUKOV

RUSSIA cap who signed for Zenit in 2005 from Krylia Sovetov Samara. Energetic right-back who looked more solid than Sirl on the other side. May not get forward with great effect but solid defensively.

IGOR DENISOV

PROMISING youngster was captain of Russia's Under-21s and recently won his first full cap. Left-sided central midfielder who likes to get forward. Showed his shooting prowess last night with two thunderous drives. Could be a threat in Manchester.

ANATOLY TYMOSCHUK

ZENIT'S captain and the arguably the new king-pin of Ukrainian football. Highly thought of by Advocaat who spent £10m on him. A deep midfield anchorman but didn't have his best game last night. Another with a fantastic shot in his locker.

SUBS: KAMIL CONTOTALSKY

SLOVAK stopper was introduced at half-time but is now second-choice keeper for Zenit. Played in Czech Republic and has decent pedigree but wasn't given much to do as AZ came off second-best to Zenit after the break.

VLADISLAV RADIMOV

FORMER Zenit captain who was stripped of the role by Advocaat after disciplinary problems. Deep lying midfielder who likes to be playmaker but he's unlikely to feature alongside Tymoschuk who adopts similar role.

VICTOR FAIZULIN

RIGHT midfielder has played for Okean, SKA-Energia and Spartak Nalchik in Russia but got his big move to Zenit in 2007. Likes to get forward in a three-man midfield and could play a part against Rangers.

TOMAS HUBOCAN

SIGNED for £2.5m in February - the highest transfer fee involving a Slovakian player. The centre-back came on at half-time last night and looked better than Krizanac.

FERNANDO RICKSEN

EVERYONE in Scotland knows about Fernando. The Dutchman was a controversial figure in the SPL but looks to have calmed down with Zenit. Came on at the break and sat in central midfield. Didn't try anything fancy but even in friendly still looked capable of losing his cool with late tackles.

ALEXEY IONOV

JUST 19 and came through Zenit's youth policy to star in this year's UEFA Cup run. Replaced golden boy Arshavin last night and played wide right of front three. May feature at some point in Manchester.

ALEXANDER GORSHKOV

TALENTED left-footer has Russian citizenship but played for Ukraine in the Euro 2008 qualifiers. Deployed at left back against Alkmaar but can also go into midfield too. Looked more solid than Sirl and Advocaat may give him the nod for Manchester.