The American midfielder delivered a pointed message to his team-mates after Juventus conceded twice in the opening half-hour at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. The result followed a damaging defeat against Lazio and came only days after the team had beaten Lecce, renewing questions about consistency and the atmosphere around Luciano Spalletti’s squad.
“It is useless to talk in the dressing room, to talk about tactics, if we then do not put energy on the pitch,” McKennie said. “We go out there as 11 players. We need to do those extra five metres, make that extra run back, fight for our team-mate.
"When I see one of my team-mates going into tackles, I get energy from it. Genoa did that and played a great match. We have to give more.”
His comments echoed those made by Gleison Bremer after the loss to Lazio, when the defender questioned the commitment of some members of the squad. McKennie was careful not to single out individuals or exempt himself from responsibility, but his message was equally clear: Juventus are not doing enough for one another when matches become difficult.
“We try to talk in the dressing room and say we need to bring energy, but when you go out on the pitch, talking is no longer enough. We have to act. Every one of us has to do that,” he added.
McKennie also rejected the suggestion that Spalletti’s changing formations were the main reason for the poor performance. The coach has been forced to adjust his system amid injuries and limited options, but the midfielder believes the players must take responsibility for what happens during matches.
“For me, it has nothing to do with tactics. Tactics can help, but it is those five or ten extra metres that make the difference. It is about having the determination to finish an attack, track back and fight for your team-mate,” he said.
McKennie also called for Juventus to finish their chances and show greater aggression.
“We are Juventus. At this club, we cannot keep having these ups and downs. Juventus have a great history of winning, and we have to get back to winning more consistently.”
The defeat leaves Spalletti needing a response before the international break. Juventus face Napoli at the Allianz Stadium on Sunday, followed by two further fixtures that could shape the immediate outlook for the coach. The pressure has grown amid speculation about Antonio Conte, whose name continues to be linked with the club.
“We have to find a way to win at home: for us, for the fans, for the club. For everyone,” McKennie said.