McKennie Rescues Point as Lecce Stun Juventus
Key Takeaways
- • Juventus salvaged a 1-1 draw after Weston McKennie's second-half equalizer canceled Lameck Banda's opener
- • Lecce defended heroically as goalkeeper Wladimiro Falcone made four crucial saves despite facing 71.7% possession
- • Jonathan David's 66th-minute penalty was saved by Falcone in a pivotal moment
Players in this Match
But this was no routine rescue mission. It was a tale of dominance denied, of chances spurned, and of one goalkeeper standing between order and chaos.
## THE DECISIVE MOMENTS
Lecce struck first with virtually the last kick of the first half. In the 45th minute, Lameck Banda collected the ball in the center of the box and unleashed a right-footed thunderbolt into the top left corner, silencing the home crowd and sending the traveling supporters into raptures. The goal came against the run of play—a sucker punch delivered with precision.
Four minutes into the second half, McKennie provided the response. Kenan Yildiz's shot from the left was blocked, but the American pounced on the rebound, driving a left-footed effort through the crowded penalty area and into the center of the goal. Relief washed over the Bianconeri faithful.
The drama intensified in the 66th minute when Mohamed Kaba handled in the box following a VAR review. Jonathan David stepped up, but Wladimiro Falcone guessed correctly, diving to his right to push the penalty away. The save proved decisive.
## THE BATTLE
Juventus dominated possession at 71.7%, pinning Lecce back for long stretches, yet struggled to translate territorial superiority into clear-cut chances. Pierre Kalulu and Lloyd Kelly controlled the defensive third, while Manuel Locatelli and Khéphren Thuram dictated tempo in midfield. But Lecce's defensive structure, marshaled by Tiago Gabriel and Kialonda Gaspar, remained resolute.
Falcone emerged as the afternoon's hero, making four saves that kept his side level. His 89th-minute stop from David's close-range effort epitomized Lecce's defiance. At the other end, Santiago Pierotti and Francesco Camarda worked tirelessly to relieve pressure, though Juventus's dominance yielded 10 corners to Lecce's solitary one.
## BY THE NUMBERS
The statistics painted a picture of overwhelming dominance that never materialized into victory. Juventus launched 25 shots compared to Lecce's six, yet managed just five on target—a wasteful return that cost them two precious points. Lecce absorbed wave after wave of attacks, conceding three yellow cards to Juventus's none as they battled to preserve their unexpected advantage.
## THE TURNING POINT
Falcone's penalty save in the 66th minute shifted the match's trajectory. Had David converted, Juventus would likely have pushed on for victory. Instead, the miss injected fresh belief into Lecce's ranks and anxiety into the home side. Kenan Yildiz struck the right post in stoppage time, but by then, Lecce's defensive wall had proven impenetrable.
Francisco Conceição was substituted at halftime for Edon Zhegrova as Thiago Motta searched for answers, while Andrea Cambiaso and Weston McKennie pushed forward relentlessly. But Lecce's organization, discipline, and Falcone's heroics earned a point that felt like three.
## LOOKING AHEAD
Lecce will host AS Roma on January 6 in what promises to be another stern test of their defensive resolve.