Russian Premier League front runners Zenit St. Petersburg produced a lacklustre display in front of their home fans and lost 0-2 in a Round 17 match against Rostov-na-Donu.
After conceding two first-half goals, Zenit failed to find a way back into the match in the second half Friday, reports Xinhua.
Second-placed Lokomotiv Moscow have a chance to overtake Zenit on goal difference with a win in their Round 17 match later this weekend.
Despite their recent dip in Premier League form and their shock early exit from the knockout Russian Cup, Zenit remain well placed to make it through to the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League, currently lying second in Group G with matches remaining against Austria Vienna and the unbeaten Atletico Madrid.
