Former Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli, who played a crucial role in Dusan Vlahovic’s development, has shared his thoughts on the striker’s current form at Juventus. Prandelli, who transformed Vlahovic from a young talent into a goal-scoring machine, believes the Serbian forward has more to offer, as he explained to Corriere dello Sport.
When asked about Vlahovic’s recent performances, Prandelli stated, “At the beginning of the season, I thought he could reach 25 goals. Now he’s at 9. But he can give more.”
Responding to Vlahovic’s comments about feeling fatigued when pressing opponents, Prandelli emphasized, “I believe that a striker should think first and foremost about scoring. If defending leads him to lose sensitivity in front of goal, then there’s something to review.”
Prandelli also addressed the tactical aspects of Vlahovic’s role at Juventus, comparing it to his time at Fiorentina. He explained that with Juventus’ wingers who take on defenders and make cutting runs, Vlahovic should focus on his timing and finishing.
The experienced coach had some advice for his former protégé: “I care for him, but he needs to stay quiet and follow Motta.”
Prandelli also praised Juventus coach Thiago Motta, whom he once entrusted with Italy’s midfield. He commended Motta’s flexible approach to tactics and predicted a bright future for him as a coach.
Regarding the upcoming Milan-Juventus match, Prandelli expects more confidence in Juventus’ play. He also shared his thoughts on the tight Serie A title race, highlighting Atalanta as a potential contender and Lazio as the real outsider.
The conversation touched on other topics, including Fiorentina’s strong start to the season, Roma’s appointment of Claudio Ranieri, and the Italian national team’s recent improvements. Prandelli expressed particular enthusiasm about Sandro Tonali’s impact on the Azzurri, stating, “He makes all the difference in the world.”
