Ahead of Juventus’ clash with Fiorentina in the first leg of the semi finals of the Coppa Italia at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, the club director of the Bianconeri Pavel Nedved highly praised Dusan Vlahovic in an interview with Sportsmediaset:
“I’ll be honest, Vlahovic surprised me too. There are comparisons to some of the tops like Cristiano Ronaldo, I knew he was a very good player, but he was born in 2000 and if he continues with this mentality, he can really do great things.
“I am convinced the future belongs to him. He is really intelligent, knows how to prepare for games, is very humble and that is so important for a player to become a champion. He really is on the right track. It is really nice when these young players who are hungry and humble come to ask you for advice. You feel useful.”
In addition, the ex-Juventus player discussed about Allegri’s men being within the title race:“I would’ve said after our Torino and Atalanta results that it was impossible. Now they have slowed down up there and we have got closer.
“I still say our objective is the top four, I don’t think we’re in the Scudetto race yet and it’s going to be very difficult, almost impossible, to recover from the start we had.”
Also, the director put his input on Marley Ake getting a start this evening amid the injury crisis, as Juventus call upon their Under-23 side, which plays in Serie C:
“We believe in this Under-23 project and are frankly surprised the other clubs in Italy haven’t followed. It’s almost impossible to leap straight from the Primavera youth team to the senior squad, but this step of the Under-23 side is so important and ensures they are ready.”
Furthermore, Nedved spoke breifly about the Dybala contract situation and whether the Bianconeri’s descision to push back the extension talks added tension within the atmosphere: “I don’t think so. We spoke clearly with the players, they acknowledged our decision, are all still under contract and there is no problem for them or for us, as they behave professionally.”
With the first leg of the Coppa Italia underway, all eyes will be on the 22 year-old Serbian international as he is set to make his highly anticipated return to the Stadio Artemio Franchi for the first time since his departure from La Viola in January.