Spalletti’s tactical twist with McKennie sparks Juventus revival: ‘Never seen in 20 years’

USMNT international Weston McKennie has quickly become a key Juventus player under Luciano Spalletti, also thanks to a tactical intuition from the Italian coach: ‘It’s something never seen in 20 years,’ said Andrea Stramaccioni.

Former Inter coach Stramaccioni highlights one of the tactical twists that allowed Juventus to win six of their last seven games, including those against Serie A direct rivals Bologna and Roma.

“It was equally innovative and decisive, it’s something never seen in 20 years,” Stramaccioni told Gazzetta.

“Against Roma, he refined a brilliant idea: the use of McKennie, who was adept at shifting from a wide player (when out of possession) to a genuine second striker. Openda’s goal came from the American’s run inside the box, a solution that Luciano had already tested as far back as the derby against Torino.

“When out of possession, McKennie operates wide, behind Conceiçao and is tasked with tracking the most advanced opposing player on that side: Cambiaghi against Bologna, or Wesley on Saturday. When Juventus have the ball, the Texan cuts inside centrally and turns into an additional attacking player behind the main striker, occupying a sharp position,” continued the ex-Bologna coach.

“It brings another advantage: it allows Conceiçao or Zhegrova to stay wide and isolate themselves on the flank, exploiting their one-on-one qualities, with Kalulu always providing cover behind them. Spalletti has solved one of Tudor’s tactical issues. He [Tudor] had been using Kalulu as a right wing-back, Luciano has continued with a 3-4-2-1 system, but has already added plenty of his own ideas.”