20 October 2021
A third consecutive Champions League victory for Juventus and a third clean sheet. In St Petersburg, the Bianconeri found the decisive goal late-on, thanks to a magnificent De Sciglio-Kulusevski combination. A very important victory that allows Mister Allegri's team to reach full points at the halfway point of the Group Stage. Below are all the comments of the Bianconeri from the Gazprom Arena in Russia:
Dejan Kulusevski
"I am very happy for this victory and for my first goal in the Champions League. I went in to make a difference. Initially I struggled a bit, but then I tried to find my rhythm and make myself useful for the team. These are three very important points for the continuation of our journey in Europe."
Mattia De Sciglio
"Celebrating my birthday with a victory is fantastic. Winning the first three matches of the Group Stage was not a foregone conclusion and we are satisfied with our path so far. Today's three points do not yet guarantee us a passage through to the next round, but they help us a lot in this direction. The fourth consecutive clean sheet also allows us to look with even more confidence towards the upcoming games. From tomorrow, however, our heads will be on Sunday's match against Inter."
Massimiliano Allegri
"From this 1-0 scoreline there is first of all the result, which is excellent, and the fact that we have not yet conceded a goal in the Champions League. It wasn't an easy game because Zenit slowed down our game a lot and technically we weren't perfect. Overall, however, it was a good performance that allows us to further raise the level of attention in view of Sunday's match against Inter. There are obviously aspects in which we need to grow: we need to improve in possession, especially when the ball is near the penalty area, make better choices in certain moments of the game and always carefully occupy all areas of the pitch. Today we take home first and foremost three important points that allow us to secure our qualification already with the next match."
Matthijs de Ligt
"This evening was a complicated match, against an opponent that is difficult to face and for this reason the 1-0 is worth a lot to us because it allowed us to reach maximum points after our first three games. There were several positive aspects, one above all the fourth consecutive clean sheet between the league and the Champions League. This is the path we must continue to follow, also and above all in view of the next match against Inter. We are growing game by game, showing all our qualities. I feel good, more mature and I am improving, training after training."
Leonardo Bonucci
"I am happy for the MVP award, but I want to share it with the whole team. The success of this evening is proof of this. We have shown that we have the right attitude and when there is a spirit of sacrifice and humility on the part of the whole group, the results arrive. We knew tonight's game would not be easy, but we played carefully and we were good at taking advantage of the opportunity in the final stages that led to Dejan's goal. With great patience we managed to find the advantage and then we were able to manage it until the end. Now our focus turns to the match on Sunday and to the championship to recover the ground lost at the beginning of the season."
