Juventus suffered a stunning 1-0 defeat at the hands of VfB Stuttgart in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, despite the presence of USMNT stars Weston McKennie and Tim Weah. A dramatic 92nd-minute winner from El Bilal Toure handed the German side a shocking victory, ending Juventus’ unbeaten start to the season across all competitions.
McKennie, who has been a key figure for the Bianconeri this season, started the match but struggled to make an impact before being substituted early in the second half. The 24-year-old midfielder completed just 10 of his 13 passes and managed only 16 touches during his 55 minutes on the pitch, a far cry from his usual dynamic performances.
Weah, on the other hand, was introduced as McKennie’s replacement and showed glimpses of his potential during his cameo appearance. The 22-year-old forward completed an impressive 17 of his 20 passes and had 28 touches on the ball, even creating one big scoring chance for his team. Despite Weah’s efforts, Juventus were unable to find the breakthrough they desperately needed.
The defeat comes as a shock to Juventus, who had been riding high after impressive wins over PSV and RB Leipzig in their previous Champions League outings. The loss sees the Italian giants drop to 11th place in the UCL standings, outside the confirmed Round of 16 spots, and now facing the prospect of a playoff to secure their place in the knockout stages.
The result is a testament to the unpredictable nature of the Champions League, where even the most formidable teams can be undone by a moment of brilliance from an underdog. Stuttgart, who currently sit mid-table in the Bundesliga, will be delighted with their victory over one of Europe’s most storied clubs, and will no doubt gain confidence from their performance.
For Juventus, the defeat serves as a stark reminder that there are no easy games in Europe’s premier club competition. The Bianconeri will need to regroup quickly if they are to avoid any further slip-ups and secure their place in the Round of 16.
The loss also raises questions about the form of some of Juventus’ key players, including McKennie, who has been a standout performer for the club this season. The American midfielder, who scored a crucial goal in Juventus’ 3-1 win over PSV earlier in the campaign, will be disappointed with his display against Stuttgart and will be eager to bounce back in the coming weeks.
Weah, meanwhile, will be encouraged by his performance and will hope to build on it as he looks to establish himself as a regular starter for Juventus. The son of former Ballon d’Or winner George Weah, Tim has already shown flashes of his potential this season and could be a valuable asset for the Bianconeri as they navigate a challenging Champions League campaign.
Looking ahead, Juventus will need to put this defeat behind them quickly as they prepare for a crucial Derby d’Italia clash against Inter Milan on Sunday. The match, which pits the second and third-placed teams in Serie A against each other, will be a true test of Juventus’ title credentials and could have significant implications for the rest of their season.
For McKennie, Weah, and the rest of the Juventus squad, the focus now must be on bouncing back from this setback and proving that they have what it takes to compete at the highest level. With a talented squad and a proven winning mentality, the Bianconeri will be determined to put this defeat behind them and get back to winning ways as soon as possible.
