Match Coverages
Late Kulusevski goal earns Juventus win against Zenit
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A late winner from Dejan Kulusevski means Juventus take the three points from Saint Petersburg to Turin. The Bianconeri struggled to break down Zenit’s defence, but won the match regardless and remain leaders in group H. Max Statman gives you a quick breakdown and player ratings.
The game started out pretty balanced. No team created real danger until Claudinho’s shot on goal from outside the box caused Szczęsny some trouble. Juve’s goalkeeper was unable to catch the ball, but De Ligt prevented the rebound. Locatelli tried to reach McKennie with a beautiful pass, but Zenit goalkeeper Kritsyuk was alert and punched the ball away. The closest Juventus got to a goal in the first half was a shot by Chiesa from the left side of the box, but he curled it just past the post. Juventus were very uninspiring during the first half.
Juventus started better in the second half when Morata gave a fantastic through ball on McKennie, but his shot was saved by Kritsyuk. Bonucci, after a sloppy first half, redeemed himself a bit when he blocked a dangerous shot by Claudinho. McKennie got his chance to score, but he headed De Sciglio’s cross wide. Substitute Dejan Kulusevski scored the winning goal in the 86th minute after he headed another De Sciglio cross into Zenit’s goal via the post.
It wasn’t a great performance by the Bianconeri, but they got the three points in the end and can look ahead to Sunday, when they face Inter in the Derby d’Italia.
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Player ratings:
Szczęsny 6;
De Sciglio 6.5, De Ligt 7, Bonucci 6, Alex Sandro 6;
Locatelli 6, Bentancur 6, McKennie 6;
Chiesa 6, Morata 6, Bernardeschi 5.5;
Substitutes: Kulusevski 7, Arthur 6, Cuadrado 6, Kean (-), Ramsey (-)