Apoel v Zenit St Petersburg preview

Apoel Nicosia begin only their second ever Champions League campaign with a home tie against Zenit St Petersburg in Group G.

Apoel and Zenit meet in Europe for the first time

Apoel Nicosia begin only their second ever Champions League campaign with a home tie against Russian side Zenit St Petersburg in Group G. The Cypriot outfit will be seeking to improve on their debut in 2009, when they failed to win a game and finished bottom of a group also containing Chelsea, Porto and Atletico Madrid. They can, however, point to an impressive recent record in Europe as reason for optimism. They are unbeaten in seven games at the GSP Stadium since losing to Porto in 2009. They also drew away with both Atletcio and Chelsea in their maiden Champions League campaign. Russian champions Zenit St Petersburg are also making their second appearance in Europe's premier competition. Back in 2008/09 they were pitted against Juventus, Real Madrid and BATE Borisov. Their only victory came against Belarusian outfit BATE and ensured they would finish third and fall into the Europa League. Luciano Spalletti's side do possess recent European pedigree though after lifting the Uefa Cup in 2008 and reaching the quarter-finals of the Europa League last season. They travel to face Cypriot opposition for the first time having won three of their last five European away games. Apoel coach Ivan Jovanovic should have a fully-fit squad to choose from with midfielder Tijani Belaid embarking on an individual training programme this week in order to gain match fitness. Zenit's main injury doubt is winger Vladimir Bystrov, who is battling to regain match fitness after six months out with a knee ligament injury. Midfielder Sergei Semak is not expected to feature as recovers from a broken foot.