Zenit wary of Dutch distractions

Dick Advocaat has confessed that league matters are "more important" to FC Zenit St. Petersburg than their opening UEFA Cup group stage game at home to AZ Alkmaar.

Title chase
Leading Zenit to a first Russian title will take precedence over the coach's encounter against opponents from his native Netherlands. In fact, not even a reunion with AZ boss Louis van Gaal – whom he played alongside at Sparta Rotterdam in the early 1980s – will distract the 60-year-old from his priority.

'Our main game'
Zenit are level on points with FC Spartak Moskva at the top of the Premier-Liga with three games remaining – and a weekend trip to FC Spartak Nalchik is preying on Advocaat's mind. "The league is more important to me," said the former Dutch national team trainer. "For now, we are thinking only about Thursday and AZ, but our main game is on Sunday at Nalchik. A win would give us a great chance."

Tight section
Advocaat has singled out Eredivisie opponents AZ as the chief threat in UEFA Cup Group A, despite the presence of Everton FC, 1. FC Nürnberg and Larissa FC. "We have a very tough group but the stronger the group, the more exciting it is to fight to go through," he said. "Alkmaar are favourites to progress. Our chances are good too. The other three will be fighting for survival."

Other links
While Zenit and AZ have never met before, there are several connections between the clubs. Injured Zenit midfielder Fernando Ricksen played for the Dutch side for three seasons, while defender Nicolas Lombaerts is a Belgium team-mate of AZ's Maarten Martens and Moussa Dembélé. Alkmaar's only previous trip to Russia ended in a 5-3 defeat at FC Krylya Sovetov Samara but with their hosts seemingly distracted, they may be hoping for better in St Petersburg.