Juventus 1-2 Sassuolo: 3 takeaways from Juve’s stunning last-gasp defeat

2. Is this the goal McKennie needed to rejuvenate his Juventus career?

Not so long ago, we were discussing Weston McKennie’s uncertain future at Turin. For the time being, we could lay those conversations to rest. On Wednesday, the USMNT star made his sixth start for Bianconeri in Serie A this season.

Despite having been considered a surplus to Allegri’s requirements for some time now amid the rumours of the manager being interested in signing midfielders in the upcoming January transfer window, McKennie showed on Wednesday that even if he were to fall in black and white colours, he wouldn’t do so without displaying that Texan resolve.

Leaping the highest, the 23-year-old produced a thumping header that was destined to rattle the back of the net. Against a stubborn Sassuolo XI, McKennie emerged as one of the players who tried their utmost to have an impact on proceedings. If anything, he was one of the most influential outlets for the Bianconeri.

Apart from scoring, McKennie recorded one key pass, completed 37 passes with an accuracy of 80%, and had 58 touches on the ball, as per the stats from Sofascore.com. Allegri seemed satisfied with his protégé’s performance after the camera caught him cheering from the touchline on the back of the goal scored by the midfielder.

Defensively, he was resolute as well, with the Texan winning three out five ground duels, one interception, one tackle, and blocking one shot. The goal was McKennie’s first in Serie A this term. He would’ve had more had not he missed those chances in earlier matches.

A glimmer of hope has arisen in what recently looked like a spell enveloped with dark clouds for McKennie in the northern part of Italy.