Zenit striker Hulk recovered after his side's Champions League win with four ice packs on his legs
Hulk lived up to his name on Wednesday night as he powered through 90 minutes to help Zenit St Petersburg record an impressive 3-2 victory over Valencia in the Champions League.
But it appears the Brazil striker was feeling the effects shortly after, with pictures emerging of him wearing FOUR ice packs on his legs post-match.
He scored twice in Zenit's win in Spain, and began his recovery immediately after the final whistle, if goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeev's pictures are anything to go by.
t is not quite the high-tech recovery formula professional players are used to, but it seems to have done the trick for Hulk on Wednesday night.
After the match, Zenit boss Andre Villas-Boas was full of praise for his team, and admitted their game-plan paid off at the Mestalla.
Valencia dominated possession with 62 per cent, and had 15 shots on goal to Zenit's seven, but former Tottenham and Chelsea man Villas-Boas says that was all part of the plan.
'We played well, although we let Valencia have most of the possession. That was our strategy - to counter-attack.
'That is how we got our three goals. The result is fair. To have a lot of the ball in football does not necessarily mean a lot. That can work during a match and today we were fortunate to win the game using this strategy.
'We did not have the majority of the possession, but when we had the ball we did well.
Zenit St Petersburg players celebrate with Hulk after he scored past Jaume in the Valencia goal
"Beware Hulk" and AVB winning the battle of the Portuguese managers - Press review
British writer Graham Hunter wrote on uefa.com about the lessons for Valencia after Zenit came away from Spain with a 3-2 win, arguing the visitors and Hulk in particular, found too much space at the Mestalla.
"Avoid Hulk in this mood. At all costs. Was Cancelo a little short of his marking duties for the 1-0 goal? Yes. Did the 2-0 goal make Jaume Doménech slow to react? A little. But is Hulk an utterly exceptional striker with a Roberto Carlos-style cannon in his boots. Yes. Sometimes you just have to take your medicine and accept you lost to a phenomenon".
Sovietski Sport quote Hulk after the match with his thoughts on Valencia
"It is very important to start with a victory in the Champions League, especially as Valencia are a great team, in the Champions league you need to use every opportunity, especially when you play away from home. It was a game of two halves with decisive moments. Valencia were very strong and have everything they need to continue on in the tournament. Even though they lost their first match they can still score 15 points and progress on".
The Guardian newspaper talk about AVB winning the battle of the ex-Porto men.
"Zenit’s Belgium midfielder Axel Witsel grabbed what proved to be the winning goal three minutes later with a powerful, low shot. Their victory meant their coach, André Villas-Boas, won the battle of the Portuguese coaches as Valencia are managed by Nuno, with whom Villas-Boas worked at Porto, under José Mourinho".
Spain's Marca.com speak of the difficult time Zenit gave Valencia in their home ground.
"A Painful opener for Valencia in the Champions League. The bats were overwhelmed by a great first half from Zenit, who went into halftime with the advantage of two goals scored by Hulk. After half time Valencia drew level thanks to goals from Cancelo and André Gomes, but Witsel gave Zenit the lead one again".
Finally supersport.com lead with Hulk and his fantatsic performance.
"Hulk powers Zenit to victory over Valencia, the 2000 and 2001 runners-up who finished fourth in La Liga last season, came through qualification by beating Monaco 4-3 over two legs but were brought abruptly down to earth in the first half at their Mestalla stadiumby a pair of thunderous Hulk efforts".
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