McKennie deserving of starting role

Weston McKennie’s resurgence at Juventus was marked by a memorable performance in the club’s 3-1 UEFA Champions League victory over PSV. The USMNT midfielder started the match and delivered a key goal. That helped Juventus secure three points in the new Champions League phase. McKennie, once seemingly on the verge of leaving the club, is now proving his worth under head coach Thiago Motta.

His first start of the season for the Old Lady was a significant one. He logged 75 minutes on the field and played a pivotal role in the team’s success. The American midfielder scored Juventus’ second goal of the match, following Kenan Yildiz’s opener in the 21st minute. McKennie’s goal came just six minutes later when a deflected ball from Nicolas Gonzalez fell at his feet inside the PSV box. McKennie then slammed the ball into the net.

This goal marked the American’s fifth career goal in the Champions League. His overall performance was solid. He completed 88% of his passes, won one duel, and made one tackle before being substituted. McKennie’s return to the starting lineup is a testament to his hard work and perseverance after a challenging summer where his future at the club appeared uncertain.

McKennie’s rebirth after rocky summer

The summer transfer window was a difficult period for McKennie, as he was essentially frozen out of the Juventus squad and nearly sold to Aston Villa. The Italians had initially planned to include the 26-year-old as part of a deal to bring Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz to Turin. However, the transfer fell through when McKennie couldn’t agree on personal terms with Aston Villa. Instead, Juve opted to include Enzo Barrenechea in the deal, leaving McKennie in limbo.

Despite this uncertainty, the USMNT star never lost focus. He continued to train with the team and worked hard to convince head coach Thiago Motta that he deserved another chance. His persistence paid off, as he made a brief appearance as a…


Source link : https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/juventus-coach-motta-mckennie-deserving-of-starting-role/

Author : Martina Alcheva

Publish date : 2024-09-18 20:19:32

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

12345678................................*...........................................++++++++++++++++++++--------------------.....