Hulk: I have resolved my differences with Zenit

Hulk has made it clear that his differences with Zenit St Petersburg have been put to bed and is now focused on helping the team defend their Russian Premier League title.

The former Porto striker has struggled to justify his 40 million fee, which the Russian champions shelled out to bring him to the club in the summer, and he recently revealed that he was considering his future after a bust-up with coach Luciano Spalletti.

His perceived unhappiness was highlighted when he was substituted in the 1-0 Champions League victory over AC Milan on Tuesday, but following clear-the-air talks between the trainer and the Brazilian, normal service seems to have resumed.

"Everything is resolved," Hulk told reporters. "I talked with the coach and the board and we were transparent with each other.

"I had never been replaced three times in a row before, but now everything is clear. I'm focused on the goal of winning the Russian title with Zenit."

Zenit are currently third in the Premier League, three points behind Anzhi Makhachkala, and both teams will face off on Monday.

Europa League Results: Groups G-L - Levante earn Hannover point after comeback, as Videoton are eliminated despite washout

GROUP G

GENK 0-0 BASEL

Genk's 0-0 draw with Basel in Belgium on Thursday was enough to confirm them as group winners, whilst also sending the Swiss side through to the last 32.

The match itself was a turgid encounter, though Basel will be buoyed by the fact that they progress regardless of Friday's result between Videoton and Sporting, due to a superior head-to-head record.

SPORTING LISBON P-P VIDEOTON (rescheduled for Friday 21:05 CET)

Sporting Lisbon's game against Videoton was postponed on Thursday evening after heavy rain in the Portuguese capital saw the Estadio Jose Alvalade pitch waterlogged.

Franky Vercauteren's side are already eliminated, but the Hungarian opposition had a chance to qualify, depending on the result in Belgium between Genk and Basel.

The m atch was initially delayed in order to clear the pitch, though it was confirmed later by Uefa that the meaningless game would be replayed in Lisbon in 24 hours time.

GROUP H

INTER 2-2 NEFTCHI BAKU

A late equaliser by Nicolas Canales denied Inter as Azerbaijani outfit Netfchi Baku bowed out of the Europa League with a brilliant 2-2 draw away at San Siro.(see match report)

PARTIZAN BELGRADE 1-1 RUBIN KAZAN

Rubin Kazan ended their positive campaign with a 1-1 draw away to Partizan Belgrade on Thursday evening.

The first half was an admittedly scrappy affair in the Serbian capital, though Sasa Markovic should've broken the deadlock in the early stages of the second half, as he wasted a golden opportunity to hand his side the lead.

Nevertheless, Markovic made amends minutes later as he controlled Lazar Markovic's pass on the edge of the area and powered a volley into the net.

The lead lasted five minutes as Rubin rallied. Cristian Ansaldi cut in on his left and found Salomon Rondon on the far side, with the latter applying the finish to restore parity and secure top spot.

GROUP I

OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS 2-0 IRONI KIRYAT SHMONA

Olympique Lyonnais' fine form continued as they comfortably saw off Ironi Kiryat Shmona 2-0 at Stade Gerland.

Lyon coach Remi Garde had named a rather youthful starting 11 with an average age of just 22, but that didn't stop them dominating the Israeli side, as they duly took the lead after a quarter of an hour.

Mouhamadou Sarr got the goal, on his debut as he latched onto an inswinging cross from the left to head home past Daniel Amos.

The visitors were kept at arm's length by Lyon's burgeoning youngsters, who soon went 2-0 up after the break when Yassine Benzia struck, having controlled Mehdi Zaffane's cross.

Under the watchful eye of Zinedine Zidane, the hosts become the second Ligue 1 side of the evening to win their group.

ATHLETIC BILBAO 0-0 SPARTA PRAGUE

Last year's finalists Athletic Bilbao ended their Europa League campaign with a dour 0-0 draw at San Mames on Thursday evening.

The Czech side were already through, with the result meaning that Athletic, who lost last year's final 3-0 to Atletico Madrid finish third with just five points from a possible 18.

GROUP J

NK MARIBOR 1-4 LAZIO

Lazio booked their place in the last 32 as group winners as th ey comfortably saw off the challenge of bottom side NK Maribor with a 4-1 win.

The Italians broke the deadlock after 16 minutes after Ederson's brilliant through-ball tore open a static defence, allowing Libor Kozak to fire with ease past Jasmin Handanovic.

Vladimir Petkovic's men were buoyed by the lead, and it didn't stop them from doubling their advantage as Stefan Radu headed in powerfully from Hernanes' cross. It was 3-0 as Ederson's passing once again proved the difference though this time, Sergio Floccari applied the finish.

Floccari made it 4-0 after the interval, as he raced from the halfway line to fire past Handanovic with his second goal of the game.

Marcos Tavares bagged a consolation goal for the Slovakian side, though it is Lazio who win Group J after an emphatic win.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 3-1 PANATHINAIKOS

Tottenham secured their passage to the next round as they comfortably beat Greek side Panathinaikos at White Hart Lane, with the visitors missing out on qualification. (see match report)

GROUP K

RAPID WIEN 1-0 METALIST KHARKIV

Rapid Wien ended their Europa League campaign with a flourish, as they beat group winners Metalist Kharkiv in Vienna.

The Austrian side took the lead early on as they searched for the first points of the Europa League campaign. Christopher Trimmel's fine cross was converted in by Deni Alar, much to the delight of the hosts' faithful.

The home side saw defender Harald Pichler shown a straight red card by Estonian ref eree Hannes Kaasik, though it didn't change the result in a turgid second half as Rapid bowed out with victory.

BAYER LEVERKUSEN 1-0 ROSENBORG BK

Bayer Leverkusen ended their group stage campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Rosenborg, as they go through in second place.

The hosts finally took the lead in the second half as Carlinhos' low drive found left-back Julian Riedel in the box, and the youngster fired past the goalkeeper to open his account for the club.

Rosenborg failed to issue a response, as their attackers were well marshalled at the BayArena, and the German side ultimately secured the three points.

GROUP L

LEVANTE 2-2 HANNOVER

Hannover let a two-goal lead slip, as they settled for a 2-2 draw which confirmed them as group winners at Ciudad de Valencia.

The German side opened the scoring after some poor defending. Lars Stindl initiated a fine one-two with Didier Ya Konan, and the former powerfully fired into the net to hand the visitors the opener.

Ya Konan was on the scoresheet too, as he later applied the finish to give the group leaders a convincing 2-0 lead just eight minutes later.

Angel reduced the deficit four minutes into the second half, before Vicente Iborra's stoppage-time equaliser completed an unlikely comeback, as the Liga side qualified a point behind their German counterparts.

FC TWENTE 1-3 HELSINGBORG

Helsingborg departed from the group stage with their first win, as they completed a fine 3-1 win away to winless Twente.

The Swedes started the match brightly, and were rewarded after just six minutes. May Mahlangu's measured pass into the path of Nikola Djurdic saw the striker produce a stunning strike from 25 yards for 1-0.

Djurdic was involved in the second midway through the first half, as his clever move enabled Alejandro Bedoya to etch his name into the scoresheet as Helsingborg raced into a comfortable lead.

The visitors' determination continued at the expense of Steve McClaren's sorry Dutch outfit, who went 3-0 behind as Thomas Sorum converted in from Rachid Bouaouzan's cross, before Dusan Tadic reduced the deficit with a well-taken free-kick.

Celtic - Spartak Moscow Preview: Bhoys must better Benfica result to reach knockout stages

Celtic are currently without Scott Brown, who is sidelined with a hip injury, whilst Victor Wanyama is also unavailable through suspension after picking up a yellow card in the recent 2-1 loss to Benfica.

As for the visitors, Valeri Karpin is likely to freshen up the side from the starting XI that lost 4-2 at home to Zenit St Petersburg in their last match. Juan Manuel Insaurralde and ex-Celtic man Aiden McGeady were both used substitutes in that match and could start.

Demy de Zeeuw may also come in, possibly as an extra midfielder in place of one of their two strikers - Artem Dzyuba and Emmauel Emenike, with the Nigerian most likely to keep his place given his excellent scoring record in the competition so far.

• Celtic are currently top of the SPL having taken 28 points from their 15 matches.
  
  
• The Scottish giants' last three Champions League games have finished 2-1 - a win and loss against Barcelona, and a defeat in their last match against Benfica

• The hosts won this competition back in 1967, beating Inter Milan 2-1 in the final in Lisbon.
  
  
• Spartak Moscow currently sit eighth in the Russian Premier League table, having taken 29 points from their 18 matches.
  
  
• Emmanel Emenike (pictured right) has an impressive goalscoring record in this seasons Champions League, having netted three goals in his five appearances.
  
  
• Ex-Valencia boss Unai Emery lasted six months at the club before his recent axing following a poor run of results.

Celtic 2-1 Spartak Moscow: Hooper and Commons seal the deal for Lennons Bhoys

Celtic advanced to the knockout stages of the Champions League for first time since 2008 after a nervous win over Spartak Moscow at Celtic Park.

A first-half strike from Gary Hooper was cancelled out by Ari just before the break, but a second-half Kris Commons penalty secured the win after a tense night of football in Glasgow.

The opening stages of the game were tetchy and evenly contested, with neither side establishing much of a stronghold on the contest or creating many clear chances, until Spartak midfielder Kim Kallstrom played a neat one-two on the edge of the area, before placing his left-footed shot narrowly wide of Fraser Forsters post.

With Brazilian striker Emmanuel Emenike looking lively for the Russian side, it looked like Celtic would be set for a difficult night, however not for the first time in this seasons competition, they showed their clinical side.

Greek striker Georgios Samaras picked up the ball on the halfway line and weaved past several Moscow players before launching a long ball upfield which was miscontrolled by defender Juan Insaurralde allowing Hooper to lash the ball first time past the helpless goalkeeper.

Celtic had a few more half chances as the first-half wore on, but allowed their opponents to come back into the contest and when the equaliser eventually came, it wasn't against the run of play.

The eye-catching Emenike was once again at the centre of the action as he shrugged off a challenge in central midfield and drove forward before feeding Ari on the right side of the box, the Brazilian nonchalantly chipped the ball over Forster to equalise.

That was the last major drama of the first-half, but five minutes into the second period Celtic came within a whisker of going back in front when right-back Mikael Lustig put in a decent cross for Samaras but his shot cannoned off the post with Spartak g oalkeeper Sergei Pesyakov well beaten.

That looked like being the best chance they were going to have, however, with the home side mindful not to get carried away chasing the game, wise in the knowledge that losing the game would certainly put them out of the tournament.

Lennon threw some caution to the wind in the later stages as he brought more attacking players into the fray, and they nearly got the goal they needed when headed at goal from a corner only for Pesyakov to react well to tip the ball over.

The breakthrough eventually came on 80 minutes when Samaras went down in the box under very minimal pressure to win a penalty. Commons stepped up and thumped the ball in via the underside of the crossbar to secure the victory, and ensure Celtics safe passage into the knockout stages.

AC Milan 0-1 Zenit St Petersburg: Russians secure Europa League spot with San Siro success

A single goal from Danny was enough to give Zenit St Petersburg a famous victory over AC Milan and book the Russian champions' place in the Europa League.

Having rested several first-team players, the hosts failed to click and were punished in the first half when the Portuguese playmaker swooped on a rebound for the only goal of the game.

Zenit were the team most in need of a win at San Siro as the two sides kicked off, after Milan secured second spot in Group C and a place in the last 16 in the fifth round of fixtures.

The Russians, on the other hand, knew that three points would guarantee them a consolation prize of Europa League football after Christmas, and also up for grabs was a first victory on Italian soil for the club.

Despite this, however, the game began in an even fashion. Both Milan and Zenit played fluid, passing football and attempted to keep possession, although clear-cut chances were at a premium in the ope ning stages. The Rossoneri, though, were convinced they had earned a penalty when Giampaolo Pazzini went down under Bruno Alves' challenge, but their protests were in vain. Urby Emanuelson also went close for the hosts, flashing a venomous shot just past the post with 15 minutes on the clock.

Milan enjoyed the lion's share of possession during the first half, but it was to be the visitors from who took the lead. Massimo Ambrosini did well to stop Sergei Semak in his tracks with a tackle in the Italian penalty area, but his defence were painfully slow to react as the ball ran free. The first man to reach it was the impressive Danny, who artfully curled the ball past the despairing dive of Christian Abbiati to put Luciano Spalletti's men in the ascendancy.

The goal served as a wake-up call for the home team, who started to commit more bodies into attack. Bojan Krkic was not far away with an ambitious overhead kick that went jus t wide of the post, while Mathieu Flamini called goalkeeper Viacheslav Malafeev into action with a stinging effort from outside the area that was parried by the Zenit man. The Russians held on to go into the break one goal up, and with Anderlecht trailing against Malaga, the Europa League appeared within their grasp.

Seven minutes into the second half, Massimiliano Allegri'scharges looked certain to restore parity. A well-worked counter ended with Pazzini divertingKevin-Prince Boateng's cross into the path of Malafeev. But the keeper reacted smartly to hack the ball away with his feet. Emanuelson was in prime position to convert the rebound, but a momentary hesitation from the winger was enough for Zenit to clear their lines and keep their lead intact.

The pressure continued to build from the home team, who had almost complete control of possession as they probed for an equaliser. Krkic tried his luck from deep with a shot that flew over the bar, whil e Zenit began to defend in numbers in an effort to protect their slender advantage.

The deep backline was paying off for Spalletti's troops, who forced Milan out of their box and into shooting desperately from range in the absence of better alternatives. Despite close calls for substitutes Robinho and Stephan El Shaarawy, who both caused scares, the Russians were able to play out a narrow win to mark their first victory in Italy.

Ambrosini: Zenit defeat did not do AC Milan justice

Massimo Ambrosini has played down the significance of AC Milan's 1-0 home defeat to Zenit St Petersburg in the Champions League on Tuesday.

A first-half goal from Danny meant the Russian champions claimed the win at the expense of the Rossoneri, and third place in Group C, but Ambrosini was adamant his side had done enough to emerge victorious at San Siro.

"We talked about what we should have done on the pitch before the game, we tried to play the best we can as usual," he told reporters.

"We're through, anyway, but I think that the round of 16 will be really tough. We are improving match by match, and we can do even better than what we have accomplished lately.

"We lost tonight, but I think that we played better than them. We played a good first half, maybe we didn't create many chances but we were in control of the ball and of the game.

"We're sorry that we lost, we wanted to keep our momentum going, but t hat's football."

Meanwhile, Ambrosini's team-mate Mathieu Flamini shared his sentiments, claiming Milan had "dominated" their opponents but failed to reap any rewards for their efforts.

"We took the initiative and created many scoring opportunities. They defended well and didn't allow us anything," the Frenchman added.

"The president [Silvio Berlusconi] told us this was an important game and we wanted to win, but were unable to do so.

"We are disappointed because we dominated the game, but instead they punished us with their only chance in the first half.

"After the goal they shut up shop and we couldnt find the space to score despite our efforts."

Milan's next match is against Torino on Sunday, as they aim to make it three wins on the bounce in Serie A.

Hulk admits he could leave Zenit in January

Hulk has admitted there is a possibility that he could leave Zenit St Petersburg in January in the wake of their 1-0 victory over AC Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The Brazil forward joined the Russian champions in the summer for a reported 40 million fee from Porto, but he has mustered just four goals in all competitions since his big-money transfer.

And amidst reported team unrest following his arrival, Hulk was substituted by coach Luciano Spalletti in the win at San Siro - a decision which appears to have prompted the 26-year-old to consider his options.

"I feel fine in St Petersburg, my family is fine and my son is fine," he told Premium Calcio after the match.

"But if the situation with Luciano Spalletti does not resolve itself, I could leave in January. I don't know if Italy would be my destination, but anything can happen."

In response to the attacker's remarks, Spalletti calmly respond ed: "Hulk does and says what he wants. I will have no qualms about replacing him again."