The Old Lady is back, ladies and gentlemen. After Thiago Motta propelled Bologna to a UEFA Champions League spot last season, he left the club for greener pastures. The head coach signed for Juventus, a team struggling to reclaim their glory days. All that’s put to the rest if you quickly judge their performances at the start of the season. Even though it’s early days, Juventus has a spring in their step again and Weston McKennie is at the heart of it.

The midfielder keeps putting in stunning performances throughout the start of the campaign, and his manager seems impressed. Moreover, French soccer legend and CBS Sports Golazo power host Thierry Henry stated, “For me, the big change is McKennie and what Thiago Motta did.”

Getting him back to his favorite box-to-box role, Weston McKennie remains a key component of the side. Moreover, Thiago Motta heaped praise on the player after his tackle fetched them the lead in their UEFA Champions League match against RB Leipzig. “The tackle McKennie made vs Leipzig might be more beautiful than Conceicao’s goal. That play says everything you need to know about Weston,” described Thiago Motta after the American’s determined tackle.

Juventus won the match 3-2 despite falling behind with 10 men. Michele Di Gregorio received the marching orders early on. But, Dusan Vlahovic scored 2 goals with Francisco Conceição scoring a silky third. All the plaudits would go to the winger for creating something out of nothing. But it all happened with Weston McKennie’s tackle.

Weston McKennie provides the spark for Juventus!

“It’s worth more than the goal. The way he won the ball back was marvelous to watch as his coach. I’m so happy to have Weston in the squad, he’s helping us out a lot,” mentioned Thiago Motta after the tackle on Xavi Simmons, who appeared to be at full pace. Switching the team’s midfield trio to Teun Koopmeiners, Nicolo Fagioli and McKennie proved to be the crucial decision.

They have controlled the games from the middle of the park and chased back for hustle plays. When you think of how Weston McKennie came running back to win the ball, I wonder what went through Motta’s mind. For me, pure goosebumps.

It’s those plays that raise the team and surely did for Juventus when they scored the winning goal. As for Mauricio Pochettino, he now has a solid midfielder in his ranks. With the Argentine looking to build a solid team, the coach’s appointment has somewhat spurred the players. Suddenly, all the American players like Christian Pulisic too, raised their game. Despite losing the game, he scored a goal for AC Milan against Fiorentina.

Thus, Weston McKennie and Co. look ready to show the new USMNT boss what is to come. If they replicate their club form for the USMNT, great things are in store for the soccer fraternity.