Zenit 0-1 Juventus: Player ratings as Bianconeri leave it late to snatch vital victory in Russia
By Max Cooper
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.
Let's check out the player ratings.
Juventus player ratings
1. Goalkeeper & Defenders
Wojciech Szczesny (GK) - 6/10 - Troubled by a long range strike, but did enough to palm it away. Little else to do despite the odd threat from the hosts.
Mattia De Sciglio (RB) - 8/10 - Rapid recovery to get back at Dzyuba - although everyone looks fast when chasing him. Another good performance to follow the success over Roma, and got the assist to show for it. Reborn.
Leonardo Bonucci (CB) - 6/10 - Very calm with the ball at his feet. Sometimes too relaxed, and a bit sloppy when carrying possession into the opposition half.
Matthijs de Ligt (CB) - 7/10 - Seemed really up for the physical battle with Dzyuba, and charged headfirst into every aerial duel with the giant. Top quality.
Alex Sandro (LB) - 6/10 - Not a bad performance, but struggled to really offer anything in the final third, as Juve pushed to try and win the game.
2. Midfielders
Manuel Locatelli (CM) - 5/10 - A quiet night for the talented Italian, and couldn't provide the energy or guile needed to pick the lock and find his forward players. Subbed.
Rodrigo Bentancur (CM) - 6/10 - A solid, calming presence in the middle of the pitch. Pinched back possession on a couple of occasions and often chose the right ball.
Weston McKennie (CM) - 6/10 - Tried to break the lines and sneak in behind. Had his moment early in the second half, but his shot was saved by the goalkeeper. Flashed a header wide later on.
3. Forwards
Federico Bernardeschi (RW) - 5/10 - Lost the ball on a couple of occasions and almost handed Zenit the lead. Far too casual in possession.
Alvaro Morata (ST) - 6/10 - Offered little up top, and struggled against self-proclaimed greatest defender on earth, Dejan Lovren. Produced a great assist for McKennie, but he wasted the chance.
Federico Chiesa (LW) - 7/10 - Crowded out at every opportunity, but that didn't stop him wiggling and worming into space. Whipped a shot towards the far corner, but missed by a whisker.
4. Substitutes
Juan Cuadrado (RB) - 7/10
Dejan Kulusevski (RW) - 8/10 - Looked sprightly when he came on, and made the difference with a lovely header. Decisive.
Arthur Melo (CM) - 5/10
Moise Kean (ST) - 6/10
Aaron Ramsey (CM) - N/A