positives to take from their start in the Champions
League, but must eliminate costly errors.
Gent are on a steep learning curve in the Champions League but
coach Hein Vanhaezebrouck was keen to take the positives
from the 2-1 loss to Zenit.
Thomas Matton was on hand to cancel out Artem Dzyuba's
first-half header in a spirited performance, only for Oleg Shatov
to be played in by the brilliant Hulk and chip home a winner.
Vanhaezebrouck claims his side's inexperience may have cost
them victory in Russia, telling reporters after the game: "We've
had our moments and played a good game.
"But we are still learning. At times I thought we were even better
than Zenit and we must become even smarter.
"The first goal comes after losing possession. That would not
have happened in the second half.
"In the first half we lost too many balls, but we responded well
after the break."
The result leaves Gent's hopes of progressing to the knockout
phases hanging in the balance and Vanhaezebrouck knows
things will not get any easier when they face Valencia in their
next two games.
He added: "Valencia will be the most difficult assignment. They
won narrowly in Lyon and had the tough qualifiers against
Monaco."
Zenit coach Andre Villas-Boas had said before Tuesday's
encounter that is side would not be underestimating the Belgian
champions and Vanhaezebrouck reckons the performance will
serve as further evidence that his side are no pushovers in
Group H.
"Zenit was impressed with our team and how we played, as they
did not find many answers," the 51-year old added.
"They were even scared they were going to lose, so they were
ultimately very happy to have won."
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