Kulusevski stars as Juventus hang on late to beat Zenit in Russia

Juventus made it three wins from their opening three Champions League matches as Dejan Kulusevski’s scored late into the match to hand Juventus a 1-0 away win at Zenit on Wednesday night.

A match of few open chances and opportunities appeared to be an apparent draw, with Weston McKennie having previously squandered Juve’s best chances.

Massimiliano Allegri’s team was far from their best in St Petersburg, though Zenit offered little threat going the other way with the likes of Claudinho and Malcom.

The decisive moment came four minutes from time, Kulusevski glancing at Mattia De Sciglio’s cross in off the post to bring up his first-ever Champions League goal and keep Juve three points clear at the top of Group H.

Kulusevski headed home late into the match to hand Juventus all the three points against Zenit in the Champions League. | PHOTO: Courtesy |

Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny had to adjust his feet after initially misjudging Claudinho’s powerful 18th-minute strike, which the shot-stopper managed to get a hand to.

The in-form Federico Chiesa looked the most lively attacker at the other end in an underwhelming first half, with Juve’s first effort on target not arriving until six minutes after the restart, Stanislav Kritsyuk thwarting McKennie, who had latched onto Alvaro Morata’s superb pass.

Leonardo Bonucci came to Juve’s rescue moments later, sliding across to block Claudinho’s close-range attempt.

With an injury to Malcom, who had linked up well with Claudinho, denting Zenit’s threat, McKennie seemed set to break the deadlock in the 74th minute, only for the midfielder to send a free header wide.

But Kulusevski showed his teammate how it’s done 12 minutes later, directing a brilliant header home from De Sciglio’s teasing left-wing centre to put Juve firmly in control of the group.

Kulusevski celebrates after netting for Juventus against Zenit in the Champions League. | PHOTO: Courtesy |

Zenit travels to Turin in the next round of fixtures, and a win for Juve would see them through. The Bianconeri have now won their opening three Champions League games for the first time since 2018-19 – Allegri’s previous season at the club. Chelsea, who thrashed Malmo 4-0, are three points behind Juve in second place.

Alex Sandro made way for Juan Cuadrado midway through the second half, meaning De Sciglio switched flanks from the right to the left.

The ability he carries to cut in on his stronger foot and deliver quality crosses ultimately proved the difference, with the Italy full-back registering a team-high three key passes, including his assist.

While Kritsyuk must be credited with a fantastic save to keep out McKennie’s first effort early in the second half, the United States international should have done much better with a free header from six yards out.

The American’s two attempts trailed only Chiesa for Juve, with the winger – who was aiming to become the first player to net in four consecutive Champions League appearances for the club since Mario Mandzukic in October 2017 – having failed to land any of his four shots on target.

Both sides will be back to action in their respective leagues over the weekend. Juve will host Inter in a derby d’Italia in the Serie A on Sunday, while Zenit take on Spartak Moscow in the Russian Premier League on the same day.