McKennie scores as Juventus get back in win column

Juventus Edge Past Monza 2-1 to End Draw Streak and Rekindle Top-Four Hopes

Juventus returned to winning ways in Serie A with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over bottom-side Monza on Sunday. Early goals from Weston McKennie and Nicolas Gonzalez secured the three points, ending a frustrating streak of four consecutive league draws for the Turin giants. The result sees Juventus climb to sixth place in the standings with 31 points, while Monza remains rooted to the bottom, five points adrift of safety.

Early Strikes Define the First Half

Juventus started the game with intent, looking to break their cycle of stalemates. The breakthrough came in the 14th minute after a moment of chaos in Monza’s penalty area. A scramble in front of goal forced Monza’s defenders to clear the ball off the line, but their reprieve was short-lived. From the ensuing corner, Weston McKennie met the delivery with a crisp volley, finding the back of the net to give Juventus an early 1-0 lead.

Monza, despite their position at the foot of the table, responded valiantly. Just eight minutes after falling behind, they restored parity through Samuele Birindelli. The midfielder latched onto a well-placed cross and unleashed a precise volley into the bottom corner, leaving Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny with no chance. It was a moment of personal significance for Birindelli, who scored his first-ever Serie A goal against the club where his father, Alessandro Birindelli, had enjoyed a storied career. Alessandro, a Juventus legend, made over 300 appearances for the Bianconeri and won three league titles, adding an emotional layer to his son's achievement.

Gonzalez Restores Juventus’ Advantage

Juventus wasted little time in reclaiming the lead. In the 39th minute, a Monza defensive lapse led to a miscued clearance inside the box. Nicolas Gonzalez, quick to react, capitalized on the opportunity by slotting the ball home. The goal was Gonzalez's fifth of the Serie A campaign and underscored his growing importance to Thiago Motta’s side.

The visitors took their 2-1 advantage into halftime, but it came at a cost. Midfielder Teun Koopmeiners, a pivotal figure in Juventus’ midfield, was forced off due to a suspected thigh problem. He was replaced by Khephren Thuram, whose presence added fresh energy but disrupted the team's rhythm slightly.

A Tame Second Half

The second half lacked the intensity of the first, with both sides struggling to create clear-cut chances. Juventus appeared content to protect their slender lead, relying on their defensive structure to repel Monza’s sporadic forays forward. Monza, for their part, showed resilience but lacked the cutting edge required to breach the Bianconeri defense a second time.

Kenan Yildiz came closest to adding a third goal for Juventus late in the game. The young forward connected with a header inside the six-yard box, but Monza goalkeeper Stefano Turati pulled off a stunning point-blank save to keep the scoreline respectable. Despite Monza’s best efforts, they were unable to find an equalizer, and Juventus held firm to secure a vital victory.

Juventus’ Unbeaten Run and Lingering Challenges

The win extended Juventus' unbeaten streak in Serie A to 25 matches, the longest active run across Europe’s top five leagues. However, the Bianconeri’s season has been defined as much by their inability to convert draws into wins as by their resilience. The 10 draws during this stretch have left them nine points adrift of league leaders Atalanta, who defeated Empoli 3-2 on the same day.

While the victory against Monza will lift spirits in Turin, Thiago Motta and his squad know that consistency will be key if they are to mount a serious challenge for a top-four finish. The gap between Juventus and the Champions League spots remains surmountable, but the team will need to address their occasional lapses in concentration and their tendency to drop points in winnable games.

Monza’s Uphill Battle

For Monza, the defeat prolongs their struggles at the bottom of the Serie A table. With only 10 points from their first 17 matches, the newly promoted side faces a daunting task to secure their top-flight status. Despite moments of promise, such as Birindelli’s memorable goal, their lack of defensive solidity continues to cost them valuable points. Head coach Raffaele Palladino will need to instill greater discipline and confidence in his squad if they are to claw their way out of the relegation zone.

Looking Ahead

Juventus will hope that this victory marks the beginning of a more productive phase in their season. With the winter break looming, they have an opportunity to regroup, address lingering issues, and prepare for a strong push in the second half of the campaign. The return of injured players like Koopmeiners will be crucial, as will the continued contributions of key performers such as McKennie and Gonzalez.

Monza, meanwhile, will need to find answers quickly if they are to avoid an immediate return to Serie B. Their spirited performance against Juventus showed glimpses of potential, but they will need to translate these moments into results to keep their survival hopes alive.

Conclusion

Juventus' 2-1 victory over Monza was a step in the right direction for Thiago Motta’s side as they ended a frustrating run of draws and bolstered their push for European qualification. For Monza, the loss highlighted both their vulnerabilities and their fighting spirit. As the Serie A season approaches its midway point, both teams face critical junctures in their respective campaigns.