For a while, it seemed as if Dušan Vlahović would leave Juventus in the summer. But the Serbian stayed and is now returning to his best under Massimiliano Allegri and is hitting form at the right time for the Bianconeri.
Vlahović was the talk of the town in Europe during his time at Fiorentina. Vincenzo Italiano’s attacking system at La Viola seemed to be bringing the best out of the Serbian, who was constantly in the box and receiving loads of service. The 21/22 season was his last at the Artemio Franchi, as Vlahović bagged 20 goals in 24 goals in all competitions and that gave him the reputation of being a star marksman.
The Juventus move came as a surprise late in January and while Fiorentina fans weren’t happy about another club star switching La Viola for the Old Lady, it was a big move that Vlahović deserved because of how much he had progressed under different managers. The €80m fee was questioned by many and rightly so, it is unusual for Serie A clubs to spend an amount as hefty as that. Those doubts were accentuated, as Vlahović scored only seven times in the second half of the season at Juve while playing 15 games.
While that number would be enough for some strikers, it didn’t align with the expectations many had from the Serbian. He had gone from scoring in pretty much every game at Fiorentina to scoring in less than half the games he played in. The 2022/23 confirmed the doubts of many, as Vlahović scored only ten times in 27 games in a season where he suffered from injuries and Juve themselves had fitness issues across the board, while dealing with the constant threat of a points deduction. A perception also developed that the ex-Fiorentina man wasn’t cut for Allegri’s pragmatic approach and playing in a very attacking setup under Italiano had only increased his output.
Fast forward to this season, Vlahović has hit form at the right time for the Bianconeri in a vital title race under Allegri. In the last six games, the 24-year-old has scored seven times. It isn’t just the numbers that show how important he has been, but the timing of the goals have also been paramount. He recently scored once in a 1-1 draw against Empoli, bagged braces in 3-0 wins over Lecce and Sassuolo, while scoring once against Salernitana in a crucial 2-1 victory. Months after it seemed as if Vlahović’s future was doomed at Juve, he is shining and the stats show that.
This season, Vlahović has scored 0.81 goals per 90 minutes from an xG of 0.67 per 90, while taking 4.54 shots per 90 minutes. Taking more shots has led to more shots on target and has led to more goals.
Those numbers were much lower last season, as he took less shots and as a result, scored less goals and generated a lower xG. But that isn’t the root cause for him scoring more. Last season, as can be seen below, Vlahović took only 4.99 touches per 90 minutes in the opposition’s box, leading to the perception that he was not suited to Allegri’s system in the long term.
This season, it has changed completely – as seen below. He has taken 6.98 touches per 90 minutes inside the opposition’s box, which is a solid number for any centre-forward, suggesting that it is a myth that he can’t operate efficiently under Allegri. He is getting more touches in the final third, shooting more and as a result, scoring more while also generating a higher xG.
This has happened despite Juve’s average possession percentage having reduced this season to 47 percent. Having said that, Allegri isn’t facing a raft of injuries anymore. While Nicolo Fagioli and Paul Pogba have been either banned or suspended, the establishment of Manuel Locatelli and Weston McKennie as regulars in the midfield three has helped Allegri in attaining some certainty. Bremer, Danilo and Federico Gatti have also become regulars in the back-three, making sure that there is a tried and tested method in place.
A case can also be made of the fact that Vlahović himself has learned the art of playing in a system which is vastly different from that of Italiano’s. That transition has taken time, but it seems to have come about.
It is the emergence of young Kenan Yıldız though, which has proved pivotal for Vlahović and Juve themselves. The Turkish youngster announced himself after a fantastic strike against Frosinone and he has brought a much-needed amount of verve in the final third, as he constantly combined with Vlahović around the box. As Federico Chiesa continues to deal with injury issues, Yıldız has jumped on the chance to impress.
The 18-year-old isn’t a creator and hasn’t assisted Vlahović yet, there were times last season when the 24-year-old played alone upfront in a 3-5-1-1 shape due injuries in the side. Yıldız now plays beside him, taking risks, taking defenders on and helping Juve progress quickly. Him being on the ball gives Vlahović time to make runs, get into the right areas and get more touches in the final third.
The youngster’s emergence has also come about at the right time in the title race and indirectly or directly, the same is also true for Vlahović. With an all-important Derby D’Italia scheduled for today, the striker could decide how Juve fare and it could hinge on how Yıldız performs. The Scudetto race is hotting up and so is Vlahović.
(Images from IMAGO)
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