Despite having a goal tally of seven goals in nine games played for the Bianconeri across all competitions this season, it seems that Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic still lacks the ability to be a consistent serial goal-scorer in the final third of the pitch.
At the start of the 2024/25 campaign, the Serbian international silenced his critics as he notched a brace against Verona on the road in a 3-0 victory on the road in Thiago Motta’s second game in charge of the Old Lady.
However, the impressive display against the Gialloblu was far from enough to alleviate him from the skepticism as the former Fiorentina marksman went on a three-match goal drought, providing underwhelming displays against Roma, Empoli and Napoli respectively.
In fact, the former Bologna boss subbed the star forward off for American star Timothy Weah after the first half against the Partenopei as a result of his abysmal performance in which he was pretty much uninvolved in every aspect of the match.
Being subbed off at the half in arguably the Bianconeri’s most significant match thus far seemed to have ignited a spark within Vlahovic, as he portrayed a stellar performance against Genoa at the Luigi Ferraris, bagging a superb brace in a 3-0 victory for the Bianconeri.
Furthermore, Vlahovic served as the main catalyst against Bundesliga giants RB Leipzig Wednesday evening in the Champions League, scoring two monstrous goals to inspire a Bianconeri come-back win on the road in which Motta’s side found themselves with a man-down for roughly 40 minutes of play as shot-stopper Michele Di Gregorio was shown a straight red in the 59th minute of play.
However, the 24 year-old’s shocking miss against Cagliari whilst finding himself face to face with goal-keeper Simone Scuffet was a brutal error which heavily cost the Old Lady as the Rossoblu found the equalizer after a sloppy challenge from Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz in the box enabled Razvan Marin to convert from the spot in the 88th minute of play.
La Gazzetta dello Sport’s Giovanni Albanese writes that the poor attempt on goal seems to weigh down the path of a player who still struggles to find the right balance to be considered the number one forward under coach Thiago Motta.
In addition, the shortness of lucidity is very evident and is perhaps magnified with the current condition of the squad, in which Milik is ruled out for another three months due to injury, resulting in no other center forward who can make Vlahovic catch his breath during this rough patch of form.
Thus, in the span of a few hours, Dusan went from being the hero of the Champions League evening to perhaps one of the worst in the league throughout match-week 7 of the Serie A.
Julian Faustini Ι GIFN
