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Weston McKennie Dusan VlahovicGetty Images

Weston McKennie drops a creative masterclass as Juventus snatch late win over Frosinone but USMNT star is substituted with injury before dramatic winner

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Article continues below

Article continues below

  • Juve start fast with McKennie midfield bursts
  • Defensive failings see Bianconeri pegged back
  • Last-gasp winner keeps title hopes alive
  • Juventus FrosinoneGetty Images

    WHAT HAPPENED?

    The Bianconeri made a fast start when McKennie's neat touch and cross teed up Dusan Vlahovic to open the scoring after just three minutes but Frosinone hit back with a thumping header from Walid Cheddira and a fine finish from Marco Brescianini to expose Juve's fragile confidence.

    McKennie and Vlahovic combined again to equalise on 32 minutes but a scrappy second period saw the home side frustrated until the final minute of injury time when centre-back Daniele Rugani forced the ball home to break Frosinone's game resistance and give Juve a win that keeps their faint title hopes alive.

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  • JuventusGetty Images

    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Juve were staring down the barrel of a fifth game without a win but Rugani's late intervention keeps their slim title hopes alive although they will need leaders Inter to start dropping points sooner rather than later, a prospect which currently looks unlikely.

    Nerves and frustration were evident throughout a second period where Frosinone even threatened to take all three points home on a couple of occasions. But Juve kept pushing, forcning home a winner in the game's dying moments.

  • Weston McKennie Dusan VlahovicGetty Images

    USMNT IMPACT

    McKennie underlined his fine season by laying on two goals to make him Juventus' leading assist provider this season. A smart control and delivery saw Vlahovic open the scoring and the pair linked up again when a neat pass from the United States men's national team star created the equaliser.

    Timothy Weah was called from the bench just after the hour mark to provide width as the home side began to run out of ideas, although he was unable to make a telling contribution.

  • Dusan Vlahovic Weston McKennie JuventusGetty Images

    GOAL'S RATINGS

    Weston McKennie (8/10):

    The midfielder was outstanding in the first-half where it was clear that his runs from midfield beyond the Frosinone backline were a key component of Juve's attacking plans. The first goal typified that as he broke free and smartly found Vlahovic. Neat footwork in a tight space saw him find the big Serbia international again.

    One slight concern for USMNT fans will be the late shoulder injury that saw McKennie replaced late on.

    Timothy Weah (6/10):

    Brought on in the second half as the Juve attack ground to a halt and was asked to provide width on the right. Had little chance to make an impact as the game became scrappy and punctuated by stoppages.

  • WHAT COMES NEXT?

    Juventus travel to reigning champions Napoli next Sunday night in what is always a fiercely contested encounter.