Lewandowski warns: This is no time to underestimate Zenit

Borussia Dortmund v Zenit St Petersburg

Robert Lewandowski has warned Borussia Dortmund against complacency when they welcome Zenit for the second leg with a 4-2 advantage.

The German club lost at home to Borussia Monchengladbach, who had been on a nine-game losing streak, 2-1 at the weekend.

It was a result that upset striker Lewandowski and he knows the team must up their game if they are to secure their place in the last eight of the Champions League.

“We’re not in the quarter-finals yet, even after winning the first leg 4-2.

“We need to be on our toes and mustn’t underestimate Zenit,” the Poland international told Bundesliga.com.

“I hope nothing happens that could jeopardize our passage into the next round but the tie isn’t over and we can’t afford to play like we did against Gladbach. 

“We will do everything to win the return leg in front of our own fans on Wednesday. We don’t want to lose in Dortmund again.”

Lewandowski, who moves to Bayern Munich in the summer, said the trend of defeats for Dortmund before European games was hard to fathom.

He said: “To be honest, I have no idea why we always lose before Champions League matches. 

“I want to win every game. I wanted to beat Gladbach and I want to beat Zenit on Wednesday.”

Meanwhile, Andre Villas-Boas has agreed a two-year deal to become the new manager of Zenit after tonight’s game, the club has confirmed. Zenit sacked former Roma coach Luciano Spalletti last week. Former Chelsea and Spurs boss Villas-Boas joins up again with striker Hulk, who he managed at Porto. n