Weston McKennie showed Juventus were right to keep him around this summer with a fine display against Lazio on his 100th appearance for the club.
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McKennie involved in all three Juve goalsVlahovic and Chiesa on the scoresheetWeah plays final 20 minutes as subWHAT HAPPENED?
United States men's national team star McKennie continues to play as a wing-back for the Bianconeri, and the midfielder certainly seems to be taking to the role if his performance on Saturday is anything to go by.
He played a part in all three of Juve's goals, kicking things off by (just) keeping the ball in play on the right flank before driving forward with the ball, which was eventually worked into Dusan Vlahovic to score.
McKennie again provided the forward thrust for Juve to double their lead, as he cut inside two defenders before Adrien Rabiot poked the ball into Federico Chiesa's path to fire in a left-footed shot.
Lazio pulled one back shortly after the hour-mark through Luis Alberto, but McKennie saved his best for last as his 50-yard diagonal ball picked out Vlahovic to net his fourth goal of the season and secure the points. That proved to be McKennie's final act, as he was replaced by USMNT team-mate Timothy Weah for the final 20 minutes, who in turn fired over from close-range when presented with a great chance in the last minutes of normal time.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Juve remain unbeaten through four Serie A matches, winning three of them, and victory at the Allianz Stadium moved them to the top of the table, at least for a few hours until the Milan Derby later on Saturday.
Questions were asked of the decision to keep Allegri on as manager after two disappointing seasons in charge, but his tactical flexibility – as shown by using McKennie as a wing-back – is working superbly.
USMNT IMPACT
McKennie rounding into form after a forgettable season in 2022-23 is big news for the USMNT as it edges towards this summer's Copa America. The midfielder was surplus to requirements at the start of 2023 and struggled on loan at Leeds, but his resurgence is good news for Gregg Berhalter.
That it is coming in a new position for McKennie shouldn't matter too much to the returning USMNT coach. As long as one of his main men is back playing and playing well, he will be pleased.
He would surely love to see both McKennie and Weah on the pitch at the same time, rather than it being either or, but that time could come before the end of the season.
Getty ImagesGOAL'S RATINGS
Weston McKennie (8/10): His best game in a Juve shirt for a long time, and a great way to mark his 100th appearance for the club. Ensured the home side had overloads in attacking situations, used the ball intelligently and did some solid defensive work.
Tim Weah (6/10): Did OK going both directions in his 20 minutes on the pitch as McKennie's replacement, but should really have scored from close-range in the closing stages.