Capello warns Milan of Zenit threat

Russia manager Fabio Capello has warned AC Milan against underestimating Champions League opponents Zenit St Petersburg.

The seven-time Champions League winner was drawn in Group C for the current edition of the tournament, alongside Anderlecht, Malaga and Zenit. Despite many tipping AC Milan to qualify from the group easily, Capello urged the Rossoneri not to take any of their fixtures for granted.

"They desperately need to get off to a good start in the Champions League in the home game versus Anderlecht, the Brussels side are no longer the team they were before, plus Milan travel to St. Petersburg for their next match," he said to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"They will have to be very cautious versus Zenit."

Familiar with the Russian internationals in Zenit's squad, the Italian called on Milan to be wary of their opponent's tactical strengths and movement.

"They have seven Russian internationals and just added true champions like Hulk and [Axel] Witsel. Plus they are tactically very strong under [Luciano] Spalletti," Capello stated.

"They might play with only one striker, but always have four or five players arriving in the area at the right moment."

AC Milan begin their Champions League campaign with a game against Anderlecht next Tuesday.