Rome (AFP)

Dejan Kulusevski saved the evening of the "Old Lady" with a late header (86th), logically giving the victory to Juve, largely domineering but who struggled to catch the Russian frame (two shots on target).

"It's an important quality to also win by playing poorly," said the young Swede, author of his first goal in C1.

Zenit, who had already resisted Chelsea for a long time during the first day (0-1), this time believed to be able to hold out until the end, to do as well as the 0-0 won in 2008, during the only precedent between the two clubs in St. Petersburg.

But that was not enough against this new-found confidence Juve, now well launched towards the round of 16 with its 9 points in three matches, before receiving the Russians (3rd with 3 points) in two weeks.

A Juve who has become again as Allegri loves him: defensive, hardworking and a follower of minimum service.

All competitions combined, it remains on six consecutive victories, before going to challenge Inter Milan on Sunday in Serie A.

The result makes us forget a mixed performance, where Juve certainly had technical mastery but struggled to set the pace.

After several attempts blocked or off target by Federico Chiesa (26th, 39th, 40th), the first shot on target came from Weston McKennie, found in depth by Alvaro Morata (51st).

The second was the correct one with the winning header from Kulusevski, on a cross by Mattia De Sciglio.

Sergeï Semak's team, despite its technical waste, will have had the merit of playing the cons thoroughly, worrying on several occasions the Italian rearguard.

Wojciech Szczesny in particular had to work on a powerful shot from Claudinho (18th) and a header from Dmitrii Chistiakov (44th).

Enough to keep his clean sheet for the fourth consecutive game.

© 2021 AFP