Zenit 0-1 Juventus: Player ratings as Bianconeri leave it late to snatch vital victory in Russia

Zenit 0-1 Juventus: Player ratings as Bianconeri leave it late to snatch vital victory in Russia

Juventus edged to a nervy 1-0 victory over Zenit St Petersburg on Wednesday evening, consolidating their place at the top of Champions League Group H.

The hosts posed an early threat, and Wojciech Szczesny had to be alert to palm Claudinho's swerving strike away from goal. But there were few sights of goal in the first half, as both teams cancelled each other out and went into the break all square.

Juve came out with a bit more spring in their step in the second half, and almost broke the deadlock through Weston McKennie, who raced onto Alvaro Morata's incisive pass. The midfielder just had the keeper to beat, but his shot was parried by Zenit's shot-stopper.

Mckennie had another opportunity soon after, charging into the box and glancing a header towards goal, but his effort fizzed past the far post, and Zenit survived.

But Juve got their reward on 86 minutes, when substitute Dejan Kulusevski flicked Mattia De Sciglio's cross into the far corner of the net, propelling Massimiliano Allegri's men onto nine points in the group, and sending them home with another 1-0 win.

Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Link Exchange