After the magic in Deutschland: Juventus are starting to unlock Dusan Vlahovic

Yesterday at 03:30 PM

Juventus' second Champions League game of the season was vital for the Serbian striker's role at the club going forward.

The performance of Dusan Vlahovic in Wednesday night's Champions League matchup against RB Leipzig can only be described as magical. From an equalizing goal to level the match five minutes out of halftime, to bringing the team back level again with a brilliant goal after Michele Di Gregorio's red card and a penalty was awarded to Leipzig, Vlahovic did not give the opposition a moment to breath, no positive moment for the home side to be celebrated for too long, as the Serbian striker led counterattack after counterattack.

There is no question that Vlahovic has suddenly come to life as of late, with two of his three braces on the season having come over the course of the past week. There is something different about Vlahovic this season. He is more decisive, more composed, and more able to do what he does best, and there was no better example of that than his night at the Red Bull Arena.

But it was not always this way.

It has been a difficult road to get to where Vlahovic is now. Any Juventus fan, both casual and intense alike, can remember spells during both the 2022-23 and 23-24 seasons where much of Vlahovic's performances came into question. Some suggested that it was still too early in his big club career, and some wrote him off as another in a long line of early 2020s signings to fizzle out. In his most notable goalless spell, Vlahovic did not find the back of the net for domestic 13 matches in a row after returning from an adductor injury that kept him on the bench for eight matches in Serie A and led to a disappointing two-match performance in the 2022 World Cup.

For the longest time leading up to the current season, it has seemed like there has been something wrong with Vlahovic on the pitch. It was not physical, rather something mental that was draining him and causing issues in his performance. But Vlahovic was only one example of a Juventus player in recent seasons simply seeming "off." Federico Chiesa, Gleison Bremer, and so many of the Juventus roster had a proverbial dark cloud. Maybe it was the points deduction, maybe the front office turmoil, maybe the former manager's negative influence. But as Juve's front man, Vlahovic was held to arguably the most scrutiny, and the recipient of the harshest criticism.

So what has changed, and why was the second match in the new Champions League "league phase" so important for the 24-year old striker from Belgrade?

The most obvious answer is a more cohesive and attack focused strategy. Vlahovic flourished in his final season at Fiorentina under then-manager Vincenzo Italiano, whose focus was a pragmatic offensive style of play, but failed to reach his potential during the early Juventus years under defense-minded Max Allegri. Now, with the managerial leadership of Thiago Motta, who led his former club Bologna to their first Champions League qualification in 60 years due to his notable attacking style, Vlahovic has been unlocked and allowed to do what he does best: score goals.

Another key differentiator in the season, which was showcased by the brilliant performance against Leipzig, is the aspect of a youthful team. In his first 2 ¹⁄₂ seasons at Juventus, Vlahovic was surrounded with legacy players such as Juan Cuadrado, Alex Sandro, and former captain Leonardo Bonucci, whose ingrained styles of play meshed perfectly with the "park the bus and counter" tactics Allegri so desired, but limited creativity and feverish offensive mindedness. To begin this current Champions League campaign, Vlahovic has been supported by youthful and creative midfielders such as Nicolo Fagioli and summer signing Teun Koopmieners among others, who have finally been able to give Vlahovic the chances he needs to put the ball in the back of the net.

Overall, Vlahovic's performance in the second match of Juventus' return to the Champions League showcased that he is trying to be more of a leader who could finally be showing signs of coming into his own and reaching a level of confidence that has been previously unseen. There is no question that there has been a mentality shift with both him and the entire club under Motta, but with the Serbian's on-field leadership, even a match where Juve's down a goal, playing with 10 men, and forced to rely on the team's backup goalkeeper, nothing is impossible or unachievable for this youthful squad.

As this newly established leader on a youthful squad, Vlahoivc remained humble. During the press conference where he was awarded the UCL man of the match, Vlahovic noted that it was "a great team match," before immediately posting his support of injured teammate Gleison Bremer on Instagram.

There is no telling what this Champions League season will bring for Juventus, with a match against giant Manchester City and a revenge match against Benfica to make up for the dismal performance in the 22-23 European campaign. But under new management and surrounded by creative and supportive youngsters, the future seems bright for Vlahovic with Juventus.