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RFN reportage of the 2016 Russian Super Cup from Lokomotiv Stadium
Zenit St. Petersburg kickstarted their 2016/17 campaign with a 1-0 victory over rivals CSKA Moscow to retain the Russian Super Cup at Moscow’s Lokomotiv stadium on Saturday.
Midfielder Mauricio got the only goal of the game for Zenit in the 22nd minute. The Brazilian stabbed home Artur Yusupov’s cross at the far post to give the Sine-Belo-Golubye their fourth Super Cup and set up the summer celebrations.
The trophy, which is an annual one-match competition between the Russian Premier League champions and the Russian Cup winners, was also new coach Mircea Lucescu’s first piece of silverware with the club. He replaced outgoing boss Andre Villas-Boas in the summer.
After the win, Zenit and Sbornaya forward Aleksandr Kokorin, who had been named in the side despite being criticised for revelling at a shisha party in Monaco after Russia’s exit from Euro 2016, claimed his celebrations were more reserved.
“The guys gave me champagne, but I decided not to drink it. I gave it all back, but now I will collect what’s left.”
Zenit begin their Russian Premier League season with another clash against Lokomotiv Moscow on Saturday, July 30, the same day CSKA travel to Anzhi Makhachkala.
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