U.S. men's national team stars Tim Weah and Weston McKennie started for Juventus as they stole a result in stoppage-time against Verona
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McKennie and Weah startedJuve win 1-0 in stoppage timeAllegri's tactics holding them back
Andrea Cambiaso's 97th minute winner for Juventus stole the show as the Turin side miraculously secured victory at the Allianz Stadium after an incredibly boring 96 minutes of soccer. It may sound harsh because they still earned the result, but Juventus played incredibly poorly against the 16th placed side in Serie A. They need more from their attack and more from their boss, Massimiliano Allegri.
Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
Bianconeri forward Moise Kean had not one, but two goals called back in the match. First up, just 12 minutes in, Kean thought he fired home but an offside Dusan Vlahovic flicked it on, seeing it called back. Then, eight minutes into the second half, Kean headed home a McKennie cross only to see it called back for a foul he himself committed.
Cambiaso's brilliant winner in stoppage-time saw him swarmed by teammates after Arkadiusz Milik's header shattered the woodwork, before the Italian put it into the back of the net.
The 1-0 scoreline was a replication of their form of late, with this being their fifth-straight clean sheet, but overall, a lack of excitement and speed overtook the match. It was slow, yet composed in the middle of the pitch, however, neither team looked like they had any interest in pushing the ball into the opposition's box.
It was a brilliant opportunity for McKennie and Weah to both start, but it's starting to feel like Massimiliano Allegri's choice of formation and tactics is going to hinder Juventus's chance to excel against the top sides in Serie A and Europe.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
This was the third-straight match where Weah and McKennie started alongside each other for Juventus, and it's beyond evident that their chemistry from playing on the national team has transferred over to their form for the Bianconeri. However, it just feels like Juve are hokding themselves back with five defenders and three midfielders. There isn't enough in their attack, and in a match like this, seeing Weah in a higher attacking role next to Vlahovic may have been a better shout.
For the Turin side as a whole, they no doubt expect more from themselves in a match like this. Verona never really threatened Juve, but they themselves never got going as a whole, either. However, good teams find results, even in stoppage-time, with seconds to spare.
GettyUSMNT IMPACT
It's a big positive for the USMNT to have both Weah and McKennie starting for Juventus, especially on the same side of the pitch. Despite Weah's early exit, he performed well, and for Wes – he continues to impress in that central midfield role under Allegri.
All you can ask and hope for is that they both continue to get minutes on a consistent basis if you're Gregg Berhalter. Juve boss Allegri is rather stubborn when it comes to adjusting to modern-day tactics, so his side's formation is set in stone. Weah in a more attacking role would be preferred, but at this point in time, you cannot be picky.
Getty ImagesGOAL'S RATINGS
Weston McKennie (7/10): Played his role well, completing 29/32 total passes while creating one big chance
Tim Weah (5/10): Weah was subbed off at the halftime break, despite having a lively first 45 minutes. He ran the right flank well, and connected with McKennie centrally at times, too.