Zenit vs Lokomotiv Kuban. Game 5 preview
Сontext
All four previous semifinal games unfolded in completely different ways. After two impressive wins in the Northern Capital, Xavi Pascual’s team stumbled twice in Krasnodar and returned home with far less than they had hoped for.
The most frustrating was the loss in the last game, in which Zenit led for the majority of the time but lost their advantage in the final minutes and failed to snatch the win in overtime. In the decisive five minutes, the X-factor for the Krasnodar side was the performance of Patrick Miller. During overtime, the American Loko guard caught fire and added 14 points to his team’s tally. Such a performance by the railwaymen’s leader sealed the outcome of the match.
After tomorrow's game in St. Petersburg, we’re guaranteed at least one more trip south. Whether a seventh game will be needed — we’ll find out very soon.
Head-to-head
In the 2024/25 season, the matchup is evenly split both in the playoffs and regular season (each team has 4 wins). The overall head-to-head record in the VTB United League still favors Zenit — 21 to 19.
Quotes
Zenit’s head coach Xavi Pascual shared his thoughts ahead of Game 5:
So, here we are at home, at home we are a solid team. Also in our Game 4 I think we deserve to win. Now in the Game 5 we need to put attention, to be concentrated in all the things that we can control and to do it better. To try to do it better in defense, try to do it better in offence, knowing that it's going to be one emotional game. And we waiting the stadium to be full and to help us a lot.
Who. Where. When.
Opponent: Lokomotiv Kuban
Location: CSC Arena, St. Petersburg
Date: May 16, 19:00 (local time)
Broadcast: Match TV, Okko Sport, VTB League website, Start TV
