Mauricio gives Zenit Super Cup win

Mircea Lucescu got his reign as Zenit St Petersburg coach off to the perfect start with a 1-0 Russian Super Cup win over CSKA Moscow on Saturday.

Cup holders Zenit dominated from the start at Moscow’s Lokomotiv Stadium, with Brazilian midfielder Mauricio converting from Artur Yusupov’s cross in the 22nd minute.

Reigning league champions CSKA struggled and failed to take the few chances that they created, as Zenit won the season’s curtain-raiser for the second year in a row.

“My first game in Russia was very tough and very emotional,” said Romanian Lucescu, after claiming the 33rd trophy of his career.

“Russia’s league is very strong and it was hard to play the league champions.

“But the positive result in the first match will give me a chance to continue my work here calmly.

CSKA head coach Leonid Slutsky, who led Russia to an embarrassing group-stage exit at Euro 2016 last month, blamed his players’ lack of match practice ahead of the new season.

“We started the match really badly today,” he said. (AFP)

Javi Garcia of Zenit Saint Petersburg celebrates with the trophy of the Russian Super Cup football match between CSKA Moscow and Zenit atthe Lokomotiv Stadium in Moscow on July 23. (AFP)