01 November 2021, 10:14 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The reverse UEFA Champions League Group H fixture, F.C. Juventus vs. F.C. Zenit St. Petersburg, kicks off at 21:00 (GMT+1) on Tuesday, November 2 at the Juventus Stadium. Alejandro Hernández (ESP) will be the first official, working alongside José Naranjo (ESP) and Teodoro Sobrino (ESP). Juan Martínez Munuera (ESP) will be the VAR.
Preview Juventus Champions League, Nov 2, 2021
Preview The Old Lady returns to European soil after a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Hellas Verona over the weekend in the Italian Serie A. Juventus make the entry to the star-studded circle of champions, having defeated Zenit by a lone goal in the first leg of this double-header on Matchday 3. A fabulous header from Dejan kulusevski (86’) four minutes from time kept Juventus’ 100% UEFA Champions League winning run intact. The victory leaves Juve at the very top of Group H with 9 points after 3W, 0D, & 0L. The Italians have two victories in five games across all competitions, but return with back-to-back defeats: WWDLL. A win over Zenit on Matchday 4, will see the Old Lady with an early qualification for the knock-out stage, with two games to spare. Massimiliano Allegri feels much more comfortable on continental soil, coupled with the fact that the Old Lady is unbeaten in her nine fixtures against Russian clubs. - Picking up victories in all but one fixture, 8W, 1D, & 0L. A 4—4—2 formation with Morata and Dybala in attack is expected when the Killer Lady returns on UCL Matchday 4. Half a century of appearances on European soil awaits Paulo Dybala on Tuesday and the Argentine will be in the run for a goal to celebrate the personal numerical milestone. Moise Kean remains doubtful due to a thigh injury, while Federico Bernardeschi returned as a substitute in the game against Verona, having suffered a shoulder injury earlier.
Preview Zenit Champions League, Nov 2, 2021
Preview F.C. Zenit picked up an impressive 4-1 win over Dynamo Moscow in the Russian Premier League over the weekend, where they enjoy domestic dominance, sitting at the top of the table. Zenit has two victories in a row, over five games across all competitions: LLLWW. The club sits in 3rd place in Group H with 3 points after 1W, 0D & 2L. Sergey Semak’s side is in a difficult situation and must win to remain in contention for any form of continental football at the end of Matchday 6. However, a glimmer of light appears to be in the tunnel. Zenit has won three of their last eight matches against Italian clubs (3W, 1D, & 4L). On Tuesday, Semak could appear with the 3—4—2—1 formation, leaving Artem Dzyuba at the top of the design. Zenit will be without Magomed Ozdoev, who is sidelined with a sideband strain to the knee. Meanwhile, Douglas Santos remains in doubt for this fixture.