Juventus coach Motta: 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 substitute in the Serie A match against Roma before earning his first start of the season against PSV.

This was McKennie’s first start for Juventus since the Coppa Italia Final victory over Atalanta in May. His ability to bounce back from a difficult situation has been a hallmark of his time at Juventus, where he has often had to fight for his place in the squad.

What did Thiago Motta say after PSV game regarding McKennie?

Juventus head coach Thiago Motta was pleased with McKennie’s performance and emphasized that the decision to start him was based on merit. In a post-match interview with Sky Sport, Motta explained his choice to start the American midfielder over recent summer signings like Khephren Thuram and Douglas Luiz.

“I like Weston, like all other players,” the coach said. “It was his time to start today. It’s a good result for starting the competition. Now, we must recover for the next game. Weston is part of a strong group.”

Motta’s comments reflect his belief in McKennie’s potential and his role within the squad. He acknowledged that McKennie, like all the players, is working hard to improve, and the most important thing is that the team secured the victory. “The important thing is not my decision. This is my duty. I must field the best 11. I am happy for McKennie. Like all the others, he’s working to improve. The important thing is that the team won today.”

PHOTOS: IMAGO