Re: **Official Other Teams & Games Thread, Season 2012/13**
Hulk: Has lost possession 156 times in Champions League games this season - at least 26 more times than any other player in the competition
>enit St Petersburg's record signing Hulk has threatened to leave the Russian club in the January transfer window following a heated exchange with his coach Luciano Spalletti during Tuesday's Champions League win at Milan.
The Brazil striker reacted angrily after the coach substituted him late in the game at the San Siro, which Zenit won 1-0. Spalletti was seen extending his hand as Hulk was leaving the pitch but the Brazilian just walked by without looking at the coach before having a heated discussion with the Zenit staff near the sideline.
"If the situation with the coach does not resolve itself I may leave the club in the January transfer window," Hulk, 26, was quoted as saying by local media.
Spalletti, who initially played down the incident, reportedly hit back at the striker, telling local media: "Hulk can say anything he wants, but if I decide to change him during the game it means I'm not happy with his play.
"Hulk is mistaken if he thinks he should play for 90 minutes all the time. He said he wants to leave? Then, it's his choice and I can do nothing about it. As for myself, I'm not going anywhere."
The Russian champions beat Milan thanks to a first half strike by their captain Danny in their final Group C match to finish third and qualify for the Europa League.
Hulk has had a tough time settling in St Petersburg, with several senior Zenit players apparently unhappy with the enormous outlay to sign the striker.
Zenit demoted the Russia captain Igor Denisov to the reserve team in September after he refused to play, issuing an ultimatum to renegotiate his contract in line with what Hulk was earning. Denisov was later allowed to rejoin the first team after making an apology.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/dec/05/hulk-zenit-st-petersburg-coach
Hulk: Has lost possession 156 times in Champions League games this season - at least 26 more times than any other player in the competition
>enit St Petersburg's record signing Hulk has threatened to leave the Russian club in the January transfer window following a heated exchange with his coach Luciano Spalletti during Tuesday's Champions League win at Milan.
The Brazil striker reacted angrily after the coach substituted him late in the game at the San Siro, which Zenit won 1-0. Spalletti was seen extending his hand as Hulk was leaving the pitch but the Brazilian just walked by without looking at the coach before having a heated discussion with the Zenit staff near the sideline.
"If the situation with the coach does not resolve itself I may leave the club in the January transfer window," Hulk, 26, was quoted as saying by local media.
Spalletti, who initially played down the incident, reportedly hit back at the striker, telling local media: "Hulk can say anything he wants, but if I decide to change him during the game it means I'm not happy with his play.
"Hulk is mistaken if he thinks he should play for 90 minutes all the time. He said he wants to leave? Then, it's his choice and I can do nothing about it. As for myself, I'm not going anywhere."
The Russian champions beat Milan thanks to a first half strike by their captain Danny in their final Group C match to finish third and qualify for the Europa League.
Hulk has had a tough time settling in St Petersburg, with several senior Zenit players apparently unhappy with the enormous outlay to sign the striker.
Zenit demoted the Russia captain Igor Denisov to the reserve team in September after he refused to play, issuing an ultimatum to renegotiate his contract in line with what Hulk was earning. Denisov was later allowed to rejoin the first team after making an apology.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/dec/05/hulk-zenit-st-petersburg-coach
