Weston McKennie nearly netted his first goal of the season, but was forced to settle for an assist in what ended up as a big Juventus win.
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McKennie bags assist in 3-0 winVlahovic scores twiceJuve go top of Serie AWHAT HAPPENED?
The final score won't tell the story but, for quite a while, Sunday's match was a nervy one for Juventus. The opening goal didn't come until the 59th minute, with Lecce fighting hard until that breakthrough. It came off the foot of Dusan Vlahovic, whose scuffed shot still found the back of the net to give Juventus the lead.
McKennie will get full credit for the second, even if Vlahovic will be recognized as the goalscorer. The USMNT midfielder's 68th-minute header was bound for the back post, with Vlahovic sliding in to ensure the ball went over the line and earn the goal for himself to make it 2-0.
Bremer then made it 3-0 with a goal in the 85th minute, putting the result beyond all doubt as Juve claimed the 3-0 win.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
With the win, Juve are now on 52 points at the top of the Serie A table, one ahead of Inter, who do still have a game in hand. Inter are currently focused on the Supercoppa Italiana as they'll face Napoli on Monday in their bid to claim their first trophy of the season.
After that, though, all eyes will be back on the Scudetto race, with Juventus keeping pace at least partially thanks to their lack of European soccer, which has kept Massimiliano Allegri's team fresh this season.
GettyUSMNT IMPACT
McKennie continues to shine for Juventus as the American has been one of the team's best so far this season. He's still hunting that ever-elusive goal, and was inches away from claiming it on Sunday, but McKennie should be fine after claiming his third assist of the season thanks to Vlahovic's tap-in.
For a bit, it looked unlikely that McKennie would impact the game, as the American was seemingly injured early on during a foul that earned him a yellow card. However, McKennie shook it off to remain in the game, thankfully for Juve, who earned three key points at least partially due to the 25-year-old's masterful efforts in the center of the field.
He wasn't the only American on the field, as Tim Weah made a substitute appearance by coming in early in the second half.
Getty ImagesGOAL'S RATINGS
Weston McKennie (8/10):
The assist was the highlight, and rightfully so, but it was overall a strong game from the American. McKennie also had three shots, all on target, to go with two chances created on the attacking end as well as several good defensive moments in the Juve triumph.
Timothy Weah (6/10):
Came on as Juve's first sub in the 57th minute, but didn't add too much to the game. Didn't get enough touches of the ball to do much, particularly with Juve killing the game late thanks to their lead.