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After a flourishing transfer window, Thiago Motta’s new Juventus started its rejuvenation very strongly with two big victories in Serie A, against Como (3-0) and Hellas Verona (3-0). Then came three consecutive goalless and tasteless draws (0-0). While it is obviously far too early to talk about a crisis since the Old Lady is still in 4th position in the championship, the media and Turin supporters have expressed their first doubts. The excitement of the new resolutely offensive project led by a modern and appreciated Thiago Motta has finally given way to nostalgic memories of a Juventus that was as unattractive and entertaining as it was under Massimiliano Allegri. The symbol of this lack of lethal efficiency, punitive realism and offensive domination is none other than Dušan Vlahović. Recruited by Fiorentina in the winter of 2022 in exchange for a sum of 85.5 million euros, the player trained at Partizan Belgrade has always struggled to shine in the long term under the Turin jersey. However, he had shown some very good things at the end of last season: over the period December-February 2024, Dušan Vlahović had scored a goal or provided an assist in every Serie A match he had played. Indeed, the Serbian was involved in at least one goal for his team, during the last six Juventus matches, for a total of seven goals (including two doubles) and an offering. An incredible form that had even allowed the Bianconeri to believe in the Scudetto on the wire.
Water has flowed under the bridges of the Po and Vlahović was even replaced at half-time in the clash against Napoli last weekend: “Dusan is doing well, he had a good first half and helped the team by attacking in depth. Dusan tried to attack the space even though there was little depth today because Napoli are a team that come under pressure and then let go” Juventus coach Thiago Motta was only intending to provoke a response from Dušan Vlahović with the much-discussed substitution at half-time in the game against Napoli. The Serbian striker has been hungry for goals this season. While he scored twice against Hellas Verona, he has also failed to score five times. The 24-year-old hit a new low in Saturday’s important game against Napoli. After a lackluster first half, in which he only touched the ball six times, his coach decided to take him off at half-time. The decision raised many eyebrows, especially since his replacement was Timothy Weah, a winger by trade. In the end, the result remained intact, with the two teams settling for a 0-0 draw. And the Italian newspapers were not kind to him: “A new Juventus on the horizon? The sensational plan B without Vlahovic“, he asks himself Tuttosportwhile the Gazzetta draws up the following balance sheet:Too much work, too much pressure, zero goals: why Vlahovic doesn’t score anymore“. According to WhoScoredthe Serbian international did not take any shots and made only two passes against Napoli.
A scarcity that worries
According to information from the Sports GazetteThiago Motta was only trying to “stimulate” Dušan Vlahović and provoke a reaction in the coming weeks. As the newspaper with the pink pages explains, the former PSG player still appreciates the attacker’s attitude and his willingness to fight for the team’s cause. However, he would like him to become less frenetic on the pitch and avoid being easily frustrated by lack of service or wasted opportunities. And with Arkadiusz Milik still injured until the international break, the Italian-Brazilian manager does not have many options in attack, so he will have to trust the Belgrade native and hope for better performances. The Serbian’s goalscoring skills are no longer in doubt. At just 24, he has already scored 92 goals in 215 appearances, but the Serbian international nevertheless seriously lacks consistency within a season. A paradox since Dušan Vlahović remains the player who has scored the most doubles in Serie A over the last six seasons, since 2019/20, with 18 doubles, ahead of Lautaro Martínez’s 17 and Ciro Immobile’s 16. It is legitimate to ask questions after seeing Juventus record their third consecutive goalless draw (0-0) in Serie A.
Against PSV in the Champions League, the former Fiorentina player already had difficulties: “Vlahović doesn’t score? Today he didn’t score, that’s true. And he could have done better. Sometimes you don’t score, but you can do other things on the pitch as well. The goals will come later. I’m happy with his work, but he has to manage his emotional side. Managing Dusan is not difficult. Since we started, he has always been in the ideal conditions to train and play. Forwards must have this desire and ambition to score, but they also do other things on the pitch. He can also create space for his teammates, the important thing is that he participates and gives everything he does“With this shortage that has rekindled an eternal debate within the Turin community, was Massimiliano Allegri the real problem or was Dušan Vlahović perceived as too good too soon? In any case, the 24-year-old Serbian can count on the support of some teammates like Nico Gonzalez: “He has improved a lot. When I saw him in the first game, I said ‘he is really strong’. Now, he hasn’t scored a goal for several games, but he is always positive, he helps the team. If I can get assists for me, if not me for him. We get along well“.
