Weston McKennie started once again as Juventus settled for a 0-0 draw at Atalanta, with their struggles upfront clear for all to see once again.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
- McKennie starts for Juve
- Weah comes off bench
- One more match before international break
Neither team could create much of anything in Sunday's match, one which saw one American, McKennie, in the XI, while another, Tim Weah, replaced him in the game's final moments. McKennie continues to start ahead of Weah after initially coming off the bench earlier in the season.
With the draw, Juventus sit fourth in Serie A, four points behind league-leaders Inter, while Atalanta sit one point behind them in fifth.
- Getty
WHAT HAPPENED?
The two teams combined for what was a largely dull game, with neither side ever really getting too much going in the attack.
Of the two, Atalanta was the more dangerous side, creating a few decent chances. Both teams were missing key attacking parts, as Juventus were without Dusan Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik while Atalanta played without Gianluca Scamacca in their attack.
Still, both teams will have felt they had the attacks to get something out of this game. Instead, they were forced to split the points and move on as they look to the final Serie A match before the international break next weekend.
Advertisement
- Getty
THE BIGGER PICTURE
McKennie continued his run of games starting at right wing-back as he's apparently jumped in front of Weah on Juve's depth chart. The USMNT midfielder has started five consecutive games in that position after initially seeing Weah emerge.
McKennie has largely done well in that wing-back spot, showing off the energy and tenacity that have made him such a good midfielder for the USMNT. While the role does limit his skillset as a late runner in attack, he has been plenty involved in the buildup for Juve during this stretch.
Still, it's hard not to wonder what Juve would look like with Weah out wide as the winger-turned-wing-back would offer a more dynamic attacking presence. It's also hard not to wonder what McKennie could do to get back into the midfield picture as he's been crowded out of Juve's trio in the middle of the park so far this season.
- Getty
USMNT IMPACT
No one at U.S. Soccer will be pushing the panic button on Weah yet. Life at a top club is filled with ebbs and flows. Unfortunately for Weah, things are a bit slower at the moment.
That'll change down the line, for sure. There will be moments where Juve need his attacking presence, even if they haven't in these few games to start this season.
On a USMNT level, Weah looked good during the last camp, scoring in the opening game against Uzbekistan. He's not totally untouchable in the USMNT squad, but he's pretty safe, so, as long as he keeps performing in camp, no one will be too worried.
As for McKennie, it's good to see him getting consistent minutes, especially as the U.S. prepare for another camp without Tyler Adams, who has suffered another hamstring injury to rob the U.S. of their captain and starting No. 6.
- Getty
GOAL'S RATINGS
Weston McKennie (7/10):
Another solid performance from McKennie, who was among Juve's better performers in a very, very dull game. Showed initiative getting forward and had plenty of energy to defend. A decent day.
Tim Weah (N/A):
Was tossed into the game with just a few minutes left as Juve chased a win.
n8rngtd.top