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Published January 22, 2025 12:40pm Updated January 22, 2025 12:41pm
Fabio Capello has questioned Juventus’ substitutions in the side’s Champions League stalemate with Club Brugge and admits he ‘doesn’t understand’ Thiago Motta’s treatment of Dusan Vlahovic.
Juventus enjoyed the lion’s share of possession but struggled to create clear-cut opportunities across Tuesday’s cagey affair, with Nicolas Gonzalez and Manuel Locatelli squandering the visitors’ two biggest chances in Belgium.
The draw – Juve’s third in this year’s competition – comes as a significant blow to the club’s hopes of reaching the last-16 stage, which begins in two months’ time.
Juve head coach Motta rang the chances in search of a breakthrough in the second period, with Francisco Conceicao and Kenan Yildiz both introduced in the 66th minute.
Weston McKennie, Khephren Thuram and Vlahovic were also thrown on with around 15 minutes remaining but the trio proved ineffective and the points were shared.
‘A lot of ball possession and then zero shots on target with only one attempt,’ former England and Juventus manager Capello said on Sky Sport Italia shortly after the final whistle.
‘The stats were like this in the first half, but in the second they tried to do more and had two chances.’
Vlahovic is far and away Juventus’ top scorer with 12 goals in all competitions this season but questions have been raised over his long-term future in Turin.
The 24-year-old striker has reportedly grown frustrated with his role under Motta and it’s understood Chelsea were ready to capitalise on the situation with a big-money move before the January transfer deadline.
‘Why didn’t Vlahovic come in earlier? We don’t understand this, but it’s a team that doesn’t cross much,’ Capello said of Vlahovic’s late introduction in Bruges.
‘They need to find a solution, we’ll see if [Randal] Kolo Muani can provide a greater threat.’
Sky Sport Italia pundit Paolo Condo, meanwhile, speculated that Vlahovic could be overtaken by Kolo Muani in the pecking order at Juventus as the Serbian ‘doesn’t excite’ Motta.
‘I’m curious to see what will happen now that Kolo Muani has arrived because I have the feeling that Vlahovic doesn’t excite Thiago Motta,’ he chimed in.
‘Juventus need a striker who can give greater depth to the team.
‘Should Vlahovic leave in the summer… for AC Milan, perhaps? For his salary I don’t think they can afford it.’
Vlahovic has scored 53 goals in 126 appearances for Juventus since arriving from Fiorentina in a £66m deal back in 2022.
The Serbia international, who has also been linked with Arsenal, has 18 months remaining on his current contract with the Serie A giants.
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