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Thursday, 21st February, 2013


Zenit St. Petersburg coach Luciano Spalletti believes that the first 15 minutes of his side’s match against Liverpool this evening will be crucial.

Spalletti’s team take a 2-0 lead into the second leg of their Europa League Round of 32 tie against the English Premier League outfit and are well aware they will be under pressure at Anfield.

And the Italian tactician has pinpointed the opening 15 minutes of the game as a key period, with the expectation being that Liverpool will come out of the blocks very quickly, given they need to score three goals.

"The first 15 minutes of the game will be fundamental", Spalletti was quote as saying by Sport Express.

"Perhaps Liverpool will force us to defend, but I think that we need to react to this pressure and act in accordance with the philosophy of our game."

And Spalletti wants his players to completely forget about the lead they built up in the first leg.

"I think we have to play as if there is no advantage.

"Liverpool have already shown they can change the course of any game and two-legged tie. Besides, we know about Anfield."

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