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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_d6e1e5da-7d9a-43d5-97e1-f4350a3cd7e3"}}</script><ul><li>Juve get the job done against Cagliari</li><li>McKennie plays &amp; almost scores first goal of season</li><li>Weah misses out again with hamstring injury</li></ul>

Weston McKennie you'll not get a better chance to score all season! USMNT star's miss doesn't prove costly as Juventus survive Cagliari onslaught to go top of Serie A

Serie A

AC Milan

Juventus

Genoa

Cagliari

Juventus found life tough against struggling Cagliari and despite dominating for large parts of the game, could only scrape a narrow win that takes them back to the Serie A summit. USMNT midfielder McKennie missed arguably the best chance of the first half, side-footing an effort wide of Simone Scuffet's far post, and at that point it looked like it was going to be an evening full of frustration for Massimiliano Allegri's side.The hosts' finishing improved in the second half, however, with Brazilian centre-back Gleison Bremer heading home the opening goal before another defender, Daniele Rugani, bundled into the net to put Juve two up. Alberto Dossena pulled one back for Cagliari, and he almost grabbed a dramatic late equaliser only for Wojciech Szczesny to divert his headed effort onto the post.

WHAT HAPPENED?

It was far from convincing but Juventus did what they had to do: get all three points to ensure they took top spot in the Serie A table. They may end up being second heading into the international break - with Inter facing Frosinone at San Siro on Sunday - but given the discontent surrounding Allegri following last season's disappointing seventh-placed finish, it was a vital victory.McKennie's miss in the first half summed up the hosts' difficulties in front of goal, and it was ultimately two of their central defenders that bailed them out here, with Cagliari edging the possession and having as many as 11 shots during a game that Juve failed to put to bed. That said, it's hard to argue with five wins from their last five, with Allegri and his side starting to build some real momentum in Italy's top flight.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

McKennie was deployed on the right of a midfield three and will be left kicking himself that he didn't manage to score the opening goal late on in the first half. The USMNT star drifted into the box and guided a first-time effort just wide of the far post following Moise Kean's cross. It was a big - but difficult - chance and fortunately for Juventus it didn't cost them.Finishing may not be McKennie's forte but he certainly likes a tackle. Indeed, he was shown a deserved yellow card for a late challenge that saw him hack down Zito Luvumbo after racing back to try to stop the Cagliari forward escaping on the counter. Still, Juve held on for the win and it's another 90 minutes in the tank for the former Leeds United man, who made the second highest accurate passes (33) of all players involved from the home side.

USMNT IMPACT

Weston McKennie: 6/10He'll be so disappointed that he didn't manage to convert that huge first-half chance but his industry and energy remains important to Massimiliano Allegri's side and he should keep his place in the Juve staring XI after the international break.

GOAL'S RATINGS

McKennie will now head off on international duty with USMNT ahead of their two crucial CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final matches against Trinidad and Tobago. With the likes of <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/usmnt-gregg-berhalter-christian-pulisic-timothy-weah-injury-updates-roster/blt8a35c0be68085319#cs2423048455eab8a9" target="_blank">Juve team-mate Timothy Weah and captain Christian Pulisic</a> both absent from the squad, manager Gregg Berhalter will be looking to the 25-year-old to play a key role in helping the U.S. progress.As for Juve, they'll come back after the break looking to maintain their excellent run of form, with Allegri's men facing a crunch meeting with fellow early pace-setters Inter at the Allianz Stadium on November 26.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

Weston McKennie you'll not get a better chance to score all season! USMNT star's miss doesn't prove costly as Juventus survive Cagliari onslaught to go top of Serie A | Goal.com US

Weston McKennie came so close to grabbing his first goal of the 2023-24 campaign as Juve claimed all three points in a 2-1 win over Cagliari.

Weston McKennie you&apos;ll not get a better chance to score all season! USMNT star&apos;s miss doesn&apos;t prove costly as Juventus survive Cagliari onslaught to go top of Serie A