Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie is in the spotlight after Juventus’ 1-1 draw against Fiorentina as the USMNT international lacked ‘nastiness’ minutes before the Tuscans’ equaliser.
McKennie played the whole 90 minutes at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on Saturday but failed to impress and didn’t receive a passing grade from any of the three Italian sports papers.
He played first in central midfield and then wide on the right in a 3-5-2 line-up for the last 10 minutes of the game.
He had a big goal-scoring opportunity in the first half but made the wrong decision, passing the ball to a marked teammate inside the box rather than going for the shot from a good position.
“In the second half, we dropped a few players, but the thing to absolutely improve on is that when you have the chance to go 2-0 up, you have to take it. Those are the key moments that decide seasons and we still don’t have that nastiness,” Allegri told DAZN after the final whistle, stressing that the ball at Juventus is ‘heavier’ than at other clubs.
“You can also miss the shot, but I didn’t see meanness. You have to get used to that again, it’s not all easy. That’s all, then I don’t get angry at the guys for anything. From that moment then came the corner and the equaliser, which changed everything.”
McKennie, 24, has collected three Serie A appearances so far this season. He has entered his third season in Turin where he has scored 10 goals in 79 appearances across all competitions. His contract at the Allianz Stadium runs out in June 2025.
Juventus earned nine points in the opening five Serie A games, following two wins and three draws. They face PSG away in their Champions League group stage opener on Tuesday.
As an American, it’s fun to have McKennie on the squad. But he has offered NOTHING this season. Miretti and Rabiot have to start ahead of him. Without Pogba, the starting 3 must be Loca – Paredes – Miretti / Rabiot.
K Mac
No Chiesa or Kostic in the starting 11?