Juventus pulled off a dramatic comeback vs. RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday to win 3-2 despite being a player down. The club’s winning goal came after a brilliant Weston McKennie tackle on Leipzig star Xavi Simons.
In the closing minutes of the game Leipzig looked to have a dangerous counterattack on their hands with Simons leading the charge. McKennie, who had played the entire game, tracked him down and put in a perfect tackle to stop the attack.
Juventus would the go on to score the game winning goal with the possession that McKennie won back.
Weston McKennie tackle vs Leipzig
Weston McKennie’s tackle on Xavi Simons to win the ball back which led to Juventus scoring their third goal against RB Leipzig!
— USMNT Otaku (@USMNTOtaku) October 3, 2024
Juventus wanted to get rid of McKennie this summer and now he’s helping the club win games.
The crazy thing is… this is the second season that the USMNT midfielder has been excluded from Juventus’ plans but then fought his way back into the starting XI.
This summer the two parties were in disagreement over his wages and Juventus were ready to let McKennie go. Juve manager Thiago Motta had fully exiled the American saying he needed to “find a new solution and new club as soon as possible.”
McKennie ultimately stayed with Juventus, signing a contract extension in August. After being benched for three of Juve’s first four games he’s now started their previous four games.
He led the team in assists last season, scored in their first UCL game vs. PSV this year and now has produced another key moment with the tackle against Leipzig.
Thierry Henry had high compliments for McKennie ahead of the game.
Thierry Henry is full of praise for Weston McKennie as the #USMNT midfielder has solidified himself in the Juventus XI pic.twitter.com/1Lh6b8NQxx
— Golazo America (@GolazoAmerica) October 2, 2024
McKennie will just never leave Juventus at this point.
