Luciano Spalletti: Rubin have the strongest mentality among the Russian league clubs

Zenit St. Petersburg manager Luciano Spalletti paid tribute to Rubin ahead of his team’s Russian Premier League fixture against the Kazan club.

«Dynamo didn’t play open football against us, Kuban also locked up inside their own half. I am sure that Rubin will do the same, but, as I said before, I consider the Kazan team to be the toughest in terms of mentality out of the Russian sides. And it’s all thanks to Rubin coach Kurban Berdyev,» the Italian manager noted.

«If we are the stronger team, we must find a way out of any situation. We cannot afford to be complacent. Everyone must strive to perform to the best of their abilities,» Spalletti warned, as quoted on Zenit’s official page.