In a twist of fate, as Dusan Vlahovic was warming up with the reserves before the match, the stadium screens showed his first moments in black and white. It was against Hellas Verona, a perfect debut: an assist from Dybala, a wonderful goal by DV9, who was also DV7 at the time. He was seen as the answer for those still missing Cristiano Ronaldo. Those were times for Juventus, and these are different times today, where Dusan has been sidelined, sacrificed for the dynamism of Kolo Muani. Coach Motta finds the French player offers more solutions. And the mobile attack opens up spaces for others, especially for midfielders making runs.
KEY STATS
8 minutes on the field, 5 touches, and 2 out of 3 passes completed. Vlahovic almost didn’t need to shower, but he made a good impact when he came on, considering the limited time and what he could do. Moreover, he adapted to the team’s need for collective sacrifice, positioning himself between midfield and attack, where he could intercept Verona’s (few) high ball attempts. In short, he didn’t come on with arrogance. He came on like someone who doesn’t want to attract criticism for his attitude or lack of team spirit.
THE PARADOX
Certainly, this is not a situation befitting the highest-paid player in the squad, let alone the highest-paid player in the entire league. Vlahovic is currently living a paradox: he is a victim of his price tag and remains unfulfilled, like having a high-performance engine in the garage but not being old enough to get a driver’s license. It happens, especially if wrong assessments were made at the beginning. But by whom? The doubt remains. Surely, the Serbian striker was a great promise in that magical 2022. Surely, Juve aimed too high, perhaps seeking a safe harbor in a sea of uncertainties.
THE FUTURE
With March beginning, so does the period when every day is suitable for discussing the future with the club. From Juventus’s side, after the first approach failed, the distance remains in building a future together. And the choices made by Thiago also support Cristiano Giuntoli’s firm direction on the matter. Then there will be room for the market: just over 20 million euros might be enough to take him away from Turin, a crucial figure to avoid a capital loss. Given this situation, how can a sale not be pursued? Well, it will all depend on Vlahovic’s demands to his future, potential, who knows, perhaps next team: he wants a figure in line with his current salary.