Zenit vs Samara. Preview
Context
Since our last meeting, Samara, which radically changed its approach to team composition during the season, has parted ways with three more key players. Ilya Popov, Anton Kardanakhishvili and Ivan Pynko have left the club. Now, after their departure, the main figure in the team remains guard Mikhail Kulagin, but he has missed the last four matches due to an injury sustained before the break in the championship.
However, in a recent game against Avtodor, forward Ilya Platonov returned to the court after recovering from an 11-month injury. The core of experienced players combined with young homegrown talent allows Samara to maintain its playing philosophy and, at times, create serious problems for opponents. The upcoming match against Zenit will not be an exception.
Despite a prolonged losing streak, Samara managed to secure a win last month. In early February Vladislav Konovalov squad defeated PARMA at home with a score of 86:78. In that game, Mikhail Kulagin scored 32 points (a career record) and made 8 out of 18 three-pointers (a career record and a tie for the season's record).
Head-to-head
All seven matches in the history of our teams' encounters, including three games this season, have ended with victories for the blue-whites team.
Quotes
Zenit's head coach Xavi Pascual on the game against Samara:
One more time we play at home and looking back to the last game we have to improve defensively very clear. And our game in offence must be a little bit more dynamic and without up and downs. So, we have to improve in this game, we have to play in general better both parts of the court. But especially defensively, where we have to make one step more.
Who. Where. When.
Opponent: Samara
Location: CSC Arena, St. Petersburg
Time: March 5, 19:30 (local time)
Broadcast: Okko Sport, VTB United League website, Start TV
Tickets are available at tickets.bc-zenit.com
