- Big money January signing continues to struggle at Juventus
- Pandits are pointing to Allegri’s defensive tactical approach
- Serbian target man has found the net only 7 times in 18 appearances
Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic continues to struggle adapting to his new team’s style of play since sealing his €75m move in January.
Touted as the viable replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus, Vlahovic was simply on fire at Fiorentina, scoring 20 goals in 24 appearances prior to switching sides. The move has seen a sharp decline in form, with the Serbian finding the net only 7 times in 18 games across all competitions.
Coach Massimiliano Allegri’s pragmatic tactics are partly responsible according to pundit and former Old Lady striker Cristian Vieri, “If you play in a team that plays badly, you play badly too,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport.
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The injury to former Fiorentina team-mate Federico Chiesa has no doubt affected the team’s form in the final third of the pitch this season. The exit of Ronaldo in addition to Paulo Dybala’s imminent departure would suggest Juventus are a team in transition this season, a view shared by former Fiorentina striker Luca Toni:
“Juve is in a period of change, also in a generational sense, and they’re encountering difficulties, above all in midfield,”
“Allegri is very good but he’s struggling to find a midfield capable of supplying the attack, and when Vlahovic plays low, he’s forced to play far from the goal.
“Chiesa’s injury was a real misfortune also for Dusan, but if he stays calm, and doesn’t go looking for goals at all costs, and continues to help the team, soon he’ll get back scoring again.” Toni told the Gazzetta.
With the summer window around the corner Allegri will be looking to add more firepower to his squad for the 2022-23 season. Juventus have been slowly building a squad capable of challenging for the Serie A title again. The signings of De Ligt, Chiesa, and now Vlahovic would suggest they are several key signings away from mounting a serious challenge.
