This game was played in a situation where if Russia did not attack Ukraine, Zenit and its stars would have to play in the European Champions League. If the Russian Football Union leaves UEFA and joins the AFC, Zenit and other prominent teams such as Spartak, CSKA, Rostov, Krasnodar and Dynamo will come to the AFC Champions League. The Football Federation has approved the preparatory meeting between the Russian national teams during the Nowruz holiday. This game may also become a repeated battle in the Asian Nations Cup in the future.
