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Mixed feelings for Villas-Boas after Zenit win

André Villas-Boas was pleased with FC Zenit's 1-0 play-off win at R. Standard de Liège but regretted the fact his men failed to finish off the tie in the first leg.

Mixed feelings for Villas-Boas after Zenit win
Mixed feelings for Villas-Boas after Zenit win ©UEFA.com

• André Villas-Boas is disappointed his FC Zenit side could not kill the tie
The Portuguese coach is nevertheless "pleased" with the 1-0 win
• R. Standard de Liège boss Guy Luzon praises his side's team spirit

André Villas-Boas, Zenit coach
Overall it was a good performance from my team. Of course we played better in the first half than we did in the second. We lost too much ball in possession after half-time and Standard used crosses and set-piece situations from which they then created opportunities. But I want to underline that I am pleased with our overall performance in this match.

It is a pity we could not score a second goal as that would have made our job easier for the second leg back home. Our job is not finished yet and I suppose the return match will be just as difficult as the one today. But that is a normal thing considering the level of this Champions League competition.

Guy Luzon, Standard Liège coach
In the first half Zenit played very well and they created a lot of chances but Standard looked better in the second period. After the break we put pressure on our opponents and that is why we came back into the game. This was just the first leg of this tie and we will do our best in St Petersburg. For this match we did not focus too much on Zenit during preparation, we prefer to focus on our own strengths and try to exploit them.

[Our new player Ricardo] Faty found his rhythm in the second half, and that is normal because this XI have not played together before, so it is natural that the performance was not smooth in the first half. Afterwards we adapted to the situation and I have to say our team spirit was fantastic tonight. If I said our chances were 5% yesterday before the game, then now they are 4%.

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