Andrea Pirlo Begins Juve Reign With Win After Getting Most From Ronaldo, McKennie

Andrea Pirlo’s first match as Juventus manager included debuts for 22-year-old American Weston McKennie and 20-year-old Swede Dejan Kulusevski, and both young talents did their manager proud in a 3-0 victory over Sampdoria at Allianz Stadium. 

It was Kulusevski, the Serie A Best Young Player award-winner last season while on loan at Parma, who opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a left-footed curler from the edge of the area.

What a beauty!

20-year-old Dejan Kulusevski scores on his debut for Juventus! pic.twitter.com/8yLHr5WTun

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 20, 2020

McKennie — employed in a midfield three alongside Adrien Rabiot with Aaron Ramsey further forward — protected a Danilo-Leonardo Bonucci-Giorgio Chiellini defensive line that doesn’t need a whole lot of protection, but the Texan was all-action and played a large role in Juve’s second goal.

McKennie initially challenged for a header on a corner kick, and the USMNT star eventually got off a shot that forced Emil Audero into a save. Bonucci was there to power home the rebound from close-range.

GOAL!

Weston McKennie reacts fast on a corner, his shot saved and Bonucci gets the tap in.pic.twitter.com/wAXg69jVEp

— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) September 20, 2020

Following a number of substitutions, McKennie then transitioned to right wingback and came millimeters away from scoring. But Juve would make it 3-0 in the 88th minute after Ramsey fed Ronaldo for the finish.  

It was only a matter of time!

Cristiano Ronaldo gets his first goal of the new season pic.twitter.com/R7eTku57mp

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 20, 2020

McKennie also had this crunching tackle in the first half that led to a Ronaldo opportunity.

This tackle by McKennie to set up the counter and chance for Cristiano.

Class. https://t.co/FV7RZwCCD7

— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) September 20, 2020

The American definitely played well enough to warrant another start next weekend, and that’s a huge one: Juventus travels to the Stadio Olimpico next Sunday to play Roma. 

Weston McKennie vs. Sampdoria:

90 Minutes Played
94 Touches
6 Duels Won
4/5 Long Balls Completed
4 Tackles Completed
3 Shots (2 on Target)
3 Interceptions
2 Clearances
1 Dribble Completed
1 Key Pass

Excellent debut from the 22 year old. Awesome to see pic.twitter.com/quEkhU3ar2

— Future USMNT (@FutureUsmnt) September 20, 2020