Dutch preparation for Zenit May 06 2008
Zenit St Petersburg will prepare for next week's UEFA Cup final against Rangers in coach Dick Advocaat's native Holland.
Zenit have postponed four Russian Premier Liga games in order to concentrate on the final and will fly to Holland on May 10.
A friendly match against Louis van Gaal's AZ Alkmaar has been organised for Saturday evening.
Advocaat has confirmed he lobbied for Zenit's Russian domestic campaign to be put on hold until after Euro 2008 for the sake of the UEFA Cup final.
And the Dutchman defended his decision despite the lack of match practice leading up to the City of Manchester Stadium clash and subsequent fixture congestion that Zenit will face later in the Russian season.
"In a friendly match, we will get playing practice and the risk of injuries is far less," Advocaat told Sport Express.
"My players are only thinking of the final and, therefore, that could impact negatively on any matches in the domestic championship."