Dynamo Moscow’s Artur Yusupov believes that Zenit St Petersburg are a great side even without star striker Hulk.
Hulk has been sidelined in recent weeks with a knee injury as Zenit look to claw back CSKA Moscow’s lead at the top of the table.
Yusupov told reporters: “Zenit have decent players in the squad to replace Hulk. So I do not think they will have massive problems ahead of the match.
“However, Hulk is the type of player who can decide the fate of matches on his own.”
Hulk has struggled for form since arriving in Russia from FC Porto netting only once in six league games.
The Seleção forward also missed Brazil’s 1-1 draw with Colombia with Fluminense’s Thiago Neves featuring in his normal role on the right side of the attack.