Dusan Vlahovic’s exclusion from Juventus’ starting lineup in their Champions League playoff against PSV Eindhoven has sparked significant discussion. Despite being available, the Serbian striker was benched by coach Thiago Motta, who once again opted for Randal Kolo Muani as the starting forward. The decision has led to contrasting opinions from Juventus legends Alessandro Del Piero and Paolo Di Canio, as well as journalist Paolo Condò.
Del Piero: “Vlahovic’s Value Has Dropped”
Alessandro Del Piero, the former Juventus captain, expressed concern about Vlahovic’s current situation. “It is right to give value to Kolo Muani because if you sign him, he has to play,” Del Piero said. “However, the former Fiorentina player had an extreme and enormous value, whereas today, he is very much in the shadows. Everything at Juventus is worth double; perhaps the only thing that isn’t worth double is goals because scoring for them is a duty. For everything else, any situation that arises gets significant attention. The feeling from the numbers, the looks, and the Frenchman’s performances is that the Serbian player is on a downward trajectory. Let’s hope for the best. He now needs to do something.”
Di Canio: “It’s Not His Fault”
Paolo Di Canio took a more empathetic view of Vlahovic’s struggles, placing responsibility on how he is being utilized. “He is struggling, but it’s not Vlahovic’s fault,” Di Canio explained. “He plays seven or eight minutes, and only in one recent match did he get more playing time. His pride must come through, but this is the worst way to achieve it. Thiago Motta backed up his words with actions. In Como, everyone came on except him when they needed to win the match.”
Condò: “Juventus Are Depreciating Him”
Journalist Paolo Condò weighed in on the financial implications of Vlahovic’s diminished role at Juventus. “There’s also an economic aspect to consider—they’re depreciating him,” Condò remarked. “Certainly, he will be sold in the summer; let’s not kid ourselves. I imagine they have a plan to acquire Kolo Muani permanently, but at what price can you sell Vlahovic today?”
A Career in Limbo
Vlahovic’s situation at Juventus reflects a sharp decline from his earlier prominence as one of Europe’s most promising strikers. With limited playing time and his value reportedly dropping, speculation about his future continues to grow. Whether Juventus can find a resolution—or whether Vlahovic will seek a fresh start elsewhere—remains uncertain as tensions around his role persist.
