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Juventus\u2019 storied history in both Italy and Europe is one of triumph, tragedy, and more silverware than the next thousand clubs. However, when looking at modern-day Juventus, it does not feel that way. <\/p>\n
Poor transfers, hot-and-cold management, and corporate shake-ups have become almost the standard, and there is one man who has been there through the majority of those recent issues \u2014 a young Serbian striker who first broke into the top-flight football scene at Fiorentina named Dusan Vlahovic. <\/p>\n
During his time in Turin, he\u2019s been the subject of scrutiny based on his performance on the pitch, and comments off the pitch. But, when analyzing Vlahovic since his high-profile move to Juventus, context is extremely important. <\/p>\n
At the time of his 2022 transfer, Juventus was rudderless after a few years of poor performances that were preceded by a decade of success. During the nine-year title run in Serie A, Juventus made it to the Champions League final twice in the span of three years, losing to Barcelona and Real Madrid in 2015 and 2017, respectively. Juventus, who has always been a club where no player was bigger than the badge, made a gamble and signed Cristiano Ronaldo with the intention of finally getting over the last hurdle and winning the Champions League. <\/p>\n
This bet \u2014 which many believe was the start of Juventus\u2019 issues and the moment the team\u2019s \u201csoul\u201d was lost \u2014 ultimately failed, and as the COVID-19 pandemic began, the potential to take home Old Big Ears with the Portuguese phenom ended. CR7 headed back to Manchester, fans were eventually allowed back into the Allianz to watch matches live, and the old guard of Juventus icons like Giorgio Chiellini, Paulo Dybala, and Leonardo Bonucci all departed. <\/p>\n
So it remains critical to remember this context surrounding Vlahovic\u2019s Juventus career to truly get a grasp on his time in Turin. The second half of the 2021-22 season is one that cannot be given as much scrutiny as the following ones, because he only played 21 matches across all competitions and netted nine goals after moving from Florence to Turin. <\/p>\n
It was the 2022-23 campaign that truly showed Vlahovic\u2019s early potential with the Bianconeri, but also showed the potential long-term issues. Under Max Allegri, the team crashed out of the Champions League and found a place in the Europa League under its old format, while domestically the Old Lady looked primed to finish in the top four. While Vlahovic did struggle a bit with finishing and had his fair share of tantrums, his performance was far better than that of recent. He admittedly had massive boots to fill, and those very tantrums were an indicator of how badly he wanted to succeed. The season ended with a heartbreaking semifinal departure from the Europa League and being bounced from the Coppa Italia thanks to Inter Milan. However, nobody could have predicted the points deduction and UEFA ban that saw Juventus out of European competition the next season. <\/p>\n
The following season felt simultaneously like a refresh and a \u201cLast Dance,\u201d and for Vlahovic it was arguably his best season at Juventus. <\/p>\n
With no European competition, La Vecchia Signora could focus on Serie A and the Coppa Italia, the latter of which was won due to impressive performances by Vlahovic in the semifinal and final. He netted 18 goals across all competitions \u2014 his best numbers since moving to Juventus \u2014 and though the early title race came to screeching halt after losing to Inter in February 2024 led to a miserable slog of draws and losses, Juventus did qualify for the Champions League. Under Allegri that season, Vlahovic knew his role and position to a tee, and became somewhat a domestic powerhouse. With Mad Max\u2019s departure after the Coppa Italia final and the eventual appointment of the more attack-minded Thiago Motta, the potential for Vlahovic felt limitless, and fans eagerly waited for the start of the 2024-25 season. <\/p>\n
But, to paraphrase an old saying, \u201cMake a plan and the football gods laugh.\u201d<\/p>\n
And they truly did. <\/p>\n
This most recent season for Vlahovic ultimately proved that he was not the right person to lead Juventus to titles and glory \u2014 and for a few reasons. <\/p>\n
The first being his finishing. While he can be given some leeway due to Juventus having no other striker options early on, the Serbian simply could not finish to save his life. Even in situations where he was only a few yards from the goal, it was only a matter of time until he was dispossessed or shanked his shot. The second issue was his dribbling, belabored by heavy touches and awkward runs at goal, he stopped being trusted to bring the ball up outside of the box. His third issue was getting bullied by defenders, which was a new and surprising twist. Previous seasons portrayed the Serbian as a strong, tall, imposing force, but something shifted, and he started allowing defenders to pocket him time and time again. <\/p>\n
A few weeks after Randal Kolo Muani made his way to Turin on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, Vlahovic\u2019s poor performances and goal scoring droughts found him becoming more of a substitute than a starter \u2014 especially after Juventus were bounced from the Champions League and the Coppa Italia. Domestically, he went 13 matches without finding the goal, between late-February and mid-May, although he did spend two of those matches out due to bone stress reactions.<\/p>\n
So what truly went wrong when it came to Vlahovic? <\/p>\n
Well, there isn\u2019t a clear answer, but there are a few theories. <\/p>\n
The first is that the pressure was too much for him, coming at the tail end of Juventus\u2019 decade of excellence and expected to continue it. Another theory is that, although he was lightning in a bottle for Fiorentina, his first experience at a big club proved that the badge was too much for him. Coaching may have been a factor, but if Vlahovic couldn\u2019t find a stride under hyper-defensive Allegri or attack-minded Motta, that may not be it. <\/p>\n
Admittedly, Vlahovic is a victim of the times. He\u2019s seen a teammate banned for gambling, the Pog-banned scandal, points deductions, three different managers, and a mass exodus of the Juventus board. Though, the true measure of a player isn\u2019t his performance when the good times are rolling, rather his mettle and fortitude in the face of controversy and doubt. <\/p>\n
With news swirling around his potential \u2014 if not inevitable \u2014 transfer, it\u2019s unclear what colors the Serbian will be wearing next season. Rumors of Turkish and English clubs have swirled, even murmurs of a reunion with new AC Milan manager Allegri. Vlahovic did not live up to expectations at Juventus, but one can only hope his replacement will. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n