Dusan Vlahovic has hit a stumbling block at Juventus: No goals scored in the month of September and then hooked at half-time against Napoli. And now some outlets in Italy suggest he is not the right profile of player for Thiago Motta’s system.
Here’s why the Serbia international is struggling, and why some have called for a Joshua Zirkzee-type player to replace him.
Why Vlahovic is struggling for Juventus and why Zirkzee is an example to follow
Outlets such as Corriere dello Sport have begun to suggest that Thiago Motta’s system does not get the best out of a striker like Vlahovic. The Serbian is at his best in the penalty area, where he can use his size, strength and striker’s instinct to punish opposition defenders.
However, up until this point, the chances have not been falling for him. Against Napoli at the weekend, he had just six touches of the ball and mis-placed two of his four attempted passes before being subbed off at the half-time break.
He has now gone a month without scoring, and his only two games of the campaign came in a 3-0 walkover against Hellas Verona at the end of August.
While in charge of Bologna last season, Thiago Motta relied upon Joshua Zirkzee to make his front three click. The Dutchman, now at Manchester United, was often described as a ‘9.5’ striker; one who is neither an out-and-out poacher, nor an attacking midfielder, but somewhere in between.
Juventus do not currently have this sort of centre-forward at their disposal, but they could do with somebody who is better at linking up with the midfield and wide players, while also being able to get forward to finish chances in the penalty area.
That is why Timothy Weah was selected to replace Vlahovic mid-way through the Napoli game at the weekend, as he has at least some of the characteristics needed to do well in a slightly deeper centre-forward role.
As the transfer window is shut, it is not a case of simply going out and buying in a different profile of striker.
Thiago Motta will either need to test a different type of player in the centre-forward position, or persist with Vlahovic and hope that the rest of the team are able to create more chances for him in and around the penalty area moving forwards.
