Gent vs Zenit St.Petersburg: Danny admits Zenit are dreaming of perfect record

Posted Wednesday, December 09, 2015 by PA

Zenit St Petersburg captain Danny says the Russian champions are "dreaming of the record" as they travel to Gent for their final Champions League group match on Wednesday.

The 32-year-old Portugal international has led his team to five wins from five in Europe this season giving them maximum points to seal top spot in Group H as they seek a sixth victory at Ghelamco Arena this week.

Danny told his club's official website www.fc-zenit.ru: "Together with all the team we dream about this record.

"How did we managed to win five matches in the group stage? We didn't do anything extraordinary. We went out on the pitch with confidence in our abilities. We played safely in defence and great in attack. Everyone knows what to do on the pitch, that's the whole secret."

Andre Villas-Boas' men though have been suffering from an indifferent form of late with a mixed bag of results seeing them drop to fourth in the Premier League.

Zenit were held to a 1-1 draw by struggling FC Ufa last time out and have also lost two of their past five matches in all competitions, but Danny is confident his side can end the group phase with a strong result in Belgium to keep their 100 per cent winning record intact.

The Portugal striker added: "We understand that Gent will be difficult. They are a strong team. The match in St Petersburg (which Zenit edged 2-1) turned out also to be difficult, but now it's at their place. But we want to win all the games."

Gent striker Moses Simon vowed to use his new-found form to help his side end the group stage on a high with a result against their Russian opponents.

The Belgian Pro League champions claimed a late 2-2 draw at home to Waregem on Friday thanks to Moses' 94th-minute equaliser - his first goal of the season - and the 20-year-old Nigeria international hopes he can continue to contribute as Gent host Zenit.

The Buffalos, who have lost just one of their past 10 matches in all competitions, are guaranteed runners-up spot even if they are defeated as they already sit one point above third-placed Valencia, but Simon is confident he can add more goals for the hosts after finally breaking his duck this season at the 16th attempt.

He told his club's official website www.kaagent.be: "I was so happy that I could have run out of the stadium. It (the goal) was a great relief to me, because I have been through some difficult moments.

"I am never going to doubt myself again. Hopefully this is a new start for me."

Hannes Van der Bruggen is set to continue his comeback after playing on Friday on his return from an abdominal injury as he was named in Hein Vanhaezebrouck's 20-man squad, while Swiss midfielder Danijel Milicevic is likely to pose the biggest threat for Gent.