Vlahovic’s Woes Deepen as Juventus Extend Scoreless Serie A Run

Dusan Vlahovic’s disheartening start to the 2024/25 season hit a new low during Saturday’s Serie A derby between Juventus and Napoli. Thiago Motta subbed off the highest-paid player in Italy’s top flight after just 45 minutes, raising questions about the Serbia international’s status in Turin.

Juventus and Napoli shared the spoils in an uneventful 0-0 draw, with both teams attempting just one shot on target each. Vlahovic, who was supposed to be the home side’s danger man, only had six touches with the ball in the first half.

Another sub-par showing from the former Fiorentina striker culminated with his withdrawal at halftime. Seemingly unsatisfied with Vlahovic’s contribution, Motta took him off at the break in favor of Timothy Weah. The substitution didn’t go any good for Juventus.

Only four days after humbling PSV Eindhoven 3-1 in the Champions League, Juventus played out a third consecutive scoreless draw in Serie A. Fans have identified Vlahovic’s rotten patch as the origin of the Turin giants’ lackluster scoring form on the domestic front.

However, Motta has defended the out-of-form Juventus talisman.

“I am satisfied with Vlahovic,” the ex-Bologna boss said at a post-match press conference. “I couldn’t talk to my players with a low tone of voice because there was a lot of noise.

“I never reproached him. On the contrary, I told him what to do in a specific situation and did it shortly afterward. His attitude is fantastic.

“It is also the others’ duty to set him up,” he continued. “Napoli didn’t leave space for him. There is no protocol for substitutions.

“It’s about my feelings and the feelings of my staff members. I am focused on what I see. Sometimes I make the right decision, sometimes I don’t,” the Juventus manager conceded.