Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic finds himself in doubt for the upcoming clash against Aston Villa, with a minor injury raising questions about his availability. The Serbian forward, a key figure in the Bianconeri’s attack, could potentially miss the match due to a slight knock sustained during international duty, leaving Juventus to weigh their options as they prepare for the critical fixture.
Continuous Play and the Injury Setback
Since the beginning of the season, Vlahovic has been a central figure for Juventus, playing in every match and contributing significantly to the team’s offensive play. However, with his backup, Arkadiusz Milik sidelined due to a knee injury, Vlahovic has been forced to shoulder the burden of leading the line on his own. This continuous run of matches, coupled with the lack of an experienced backup, has left the Serbian vulnerable to injury.
Vlahovic recently picked up a minor knock while playing for Serbia in a UEFA Nations League match against Denmark. Although the injury wasn’t serious enough to show up on medical tests, the club’s medical staff decided it was best not to take any chances with their star striker. Juventus has shown in the past that they prefer to take a cautious approach when it comes to player fitness, especially with key players like Vlahovic.
Juventus’ Cautious Approach: No Risks with Vlahovic
In line with their cautious approach, Juventus opted to leave Vlahovic out of the squad for the Serie A encounter against Milan at San Siro. Despite the fact that the team played the match without a traditional forward, manager Massimiliano Allegri decided it was better to play it safe than risk further injury to Vlahovic.
The result, a 0-0 draw, was not entirely surprising given the lack of a natural striker. Juventus struggled to create clear-cut chances and were forced to settle for a point, but the decision to protect Vlahovic’s long-term fitness was undoubtedly the right one, especially with a more important clash on the horizon.
Vlahovic’s Doubt for Champions League Clash
As Juventus now turns its attention to Wednesday’s crucial Champions League match against Aston Villa, Tuttosport reports that Vlahovic is still highly doubtful for the encounter. The club’s cautious stance regarding his fitness is expected to remain in place, with Juventus unwilling to take any risks. With a number of important fixtures ahead, including European games, the club’s medical team will monitor Vlahovic closely over the next few days to determine whether he will be fit enough to feature.
If the pain from the knock persists, Vlahovic will likely be left behind when the team travels to England. However, if the striker recovers sufficiently in time, he could still join the squad for the high-stakes match. Juventus’ approach is driven by the fact that the player’s long-term health is far more important than one individual match, especially when considering the role he plays in their overall attack.
An Alternative Solution: Will Weah Step Up?
Even if Vlahovic does travel with the squad, there are concerns about whether he will be in the right condition to start the match. Juventus may face the reality of having to adjust their tactics once again, which brings us to the possibility of Timothy Weah being used in a central attacking role. Weah, who has shown flashes of his potential on the right wing, could be deployed as a striker, allowing Juventus to adjust their attack without fully relying on a potentially unfit Vlahovic.
Weah was considered a candidate to start against Milan, but the USMNT player ultimately began the match on the bench. Despite his efforts as a winger, his versatility has made him a potential option for a more central role, which could be crucial against Villa. While Weah’s natural position is on the wing, he possesses the speed and technical ability to lead the line in a pinch, offering a different dynamic to Juventus’ attack.
Will McKennie and Koopmeiners Continue Their Partnership?
In addition to Weah potentially moving to a more central position, there is also the question of who will partner with him in midfield, especially with the pairing of Weston McKennie and Teun Koopmeiners not quite clicking in the Milan game. The two players, who have been asked to provide creativity and energy in the middle of the park, struggled to make an impact in the 0-0 draw at San Siro. Tuttosport, however, does not rule out the possibility that this pairing could be reintroduced for the Aston Villa clash.
Given that McKennie and Koopmeiners are familiar with each other’s game, Juventus might decide to stick with the duo, hoping for improved chemistry and better performance against Villa. If they do continue together, the tactical setup will likely rely on their ability to control the tempo and link up with whichever forwards are available.
Conceicao’s Struggles and the Potential for Change
Another question facing Juventus is the role of Francisco Conceicao, who had a difficult outing against Milan. The young winger struggled to make an impact on the game, and Juventus could opt for a change on the right wing. If Weah is moved to a central position, Conceicao may be replaced by someone like Mattia De Sciglio or even Juan Cuadrado, depending on Allegri’s tactical preferences.
As Juventus prepares for a challenging run of fixtures, the team’s ability to adapt to circumstances will be key. With Vlahovic’s fitness still uncertain, the Bianconeri will need to explore different options to ensure they remain competitive in both Serie A and the Champions League. Whether it’s shifting Weah into a central role or continuing with a slightly reshuffled midfield, Juventus must find a way to overcome their striker dilemma and push forward in the season.
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