Samara vs Zenit. Preview

The Blue-White-Sky Blues will play their next game on the road. The matchup against Samara will be Aleksander Sekulic’s team’s first away game in this VTB United League regular season. Information about the opponent, the history of head-to-head meetings, and a pregame comment from the head coach — all in our preview.

Opponent

Last season was a difficult one for the hosts. Mid-season restructuring had a serious impact on the team’s results. However, despite all the challenges, Samara remains a solid and quite dangerous opponent capable of springing a surprise in any game.

During the summer, the Volga side’s roster understandably underwent changes. Several players left the club, with one of the most notable transfers being Egor Amosov’s move to Real Madrid. At the same time, Vladislav Konovalov stayed on as head coach, and Samara’s roster was strengthened by experienced and well-known VTB United League players: Evgeny Minchenko, Gleb Sheiko, Nikita Mikhailovskii, Danila Pokhodiaev and Dmitry Cheburkin.

Samara has already played three games in the regular season but has yet to record a win, losing at home to CSKA (63:82) and BETCITY PARMA (57:107), as well as away to Avtodor — 84:76.

Head-to-head

Up next is the ninth game in the history of meetings between Zenit and Samara. All previous encounters have ended in victories for the Blue-White-Sky Blues.

Direct speech

Zenit head coach Aleksander Sekulic on the game in Samara:

We are focused on ourselves, our game and the way we want to play, especially considering the fact that we have limited roster. Samara had tough loss last round against Parma. Even though they are without a win they still have quality to win anyone in the league if not taken seriously.

Who. Where. When.

Opponent: Samara

Location: SKK Sports Palace, Samara

Date: October 15, 18:30 (St. Petersburg time)

Broadcast: Okko Sport, VTB United League website, VK Video