McKennie reveals what he was thinking during Juventus goal | OneFootball

Weston McKennie reveals what he was thinking when scoring the ferocious Champions League play-off strike for Juventus against PSV Eindhoven. ‘I assumed I’d hit someone in the box.’

It has been an inconsistent Champions League campaign for the Bianconeri, who already beat PSV Eindhoven here 3-1 in the opening league phase game back in September.

McKennie scored then too and broke through today on the half-volley from Federico Gatti’s assist, before ex-Inter winger Ivan Perisic drew level by turning Lloyd Kelly.

Samuel Mbangula was in the right place to turn in the rebound from a parried Francisco Conceicao effort and seal the slender 2-1 lead going into the second leg on Wednesday February 19.

“It was a good goal, I think I scored better against Barcelona in 2020. I was really lucky!” he grinned on Sky Sport Italia while watching the footage back.

“I was calm, because last week in training I scored lots of goals on all the training exercises, so I felt pretty confident, even if it doesn’t count to score there. It was a bit of luck because I assumed I’d hit someone in the box.

“The important thing isn’t scoring a goal or providing an assist, but helping the team to get the victory.”

Juventus can always rely on McKennie

TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 11: Weston McKennie of Juventus celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off first leg match between Juventus and PSV at Allianz Stadium on February 11, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

McKennie has become truly the Old Lady’s Joker in the pack, able to play this season alone as a left-back, a midfielder, a winger and now a trequartista. Whatever the role, he always works hard for the team.

“It was so important, because Juventus is a big club, a great team and we need to sacrifice everything. When we are up against a team with a lot of talent that plays well, we have to run hard, go into the tackle and leave everything on the pitch. That is what we did today and I think it showed, the way we pressed in attack, even Gatti was pushing forward to win the ball back many times.

“Timothy Weah, my friend, ran really hard today, but then he’s capable of it!”

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Juventus 2-1 PSV Eindhoven

Juventus have tended to throw away leads this season and seemed anxious after the Perisic equaliser, losing their shape and hanging on for 10 minutes before getting back in control.

“We always talk in the locker room, in training and during the match. When we score the first goal, we seem to relax and sit back, but the coach always tells us, do not change your attitude. Keep going forward, keep pressing, it is very important to score the second goal and carry on playing with confidence. We’ve got to do better in that area.”