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

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.

McKennie’s tactical twist ‘innovative and decisive’

Weston McKennie scores a goal for Juventus against Pafos in the Champions League (@juventusfc)

“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.

MADRID, SPAIN – OCTOBER 22: Arda Gueler of Real Madrid battles for possession with Weston McKennie of Juventus during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Real Madrid C.F. and Juventus at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 22, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

“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.

‘Spalletti has solved one of Tudor’s tactical issues’

BOLOGNA, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, looks on prior to the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Juventus FC at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“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.”