ST. PETERSBURG, Russia: Substitute Dejan Kulusevski scored late as Juventus won 1-0 at Zenit St. Petersburg on Wednesday to preserve its perfect start to the Champions League.
Kulusevski headed in the only goal of the match four minutes from time as Juventus added to its wins against Malmo and Chelsea.
Juventus remained top of Group H. Massimiliano Allegris side is three points above Chelsea, which beat Malmo 4-0 in the other group match. Zenit is six points behind Juventus with Malmo on zero points.
Juventus was full of confidence coming into the game as it was unbeaten in its previous seven matches. It has still to concede in the Champions League after three games.
There were few chances in a tame first half, where neither goalkeeper had much to do.
Zenit had the best opportunity in the 18th minute when Malcom profited from a slip from Juventus winger Federico Bernardeschi to feed Claudinho but his fierce effort was parried by Wojciech Szczsny.
Juventus had its first shot on target six minutes into the second half when Weston McKennie sprung the offside trap on lvaro Morata’s pass but the United States midfielder fired straight at the onrushing Stanislav Kritsyuk.
Juventus was almost made to pay for that missed opportunity moments later as Zenit broke quickly but some great defending from Bianconeri captain Leonardo Bonucci saw him slide in to block Claudinhos effort.
McKennie had another good chance in the 74th but he headed a tantalizing cross from Mattia De Sciglio wide of the post.
Just as it appeared as it if it was going to end goalless in Russia, De Sciglio who was celebrating his 29th birthday whipped in another cross from the left and this time Kulusevski headed it into the far side of the net.
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