On occasions like this, with moments like that, Dusan Vlahovic’s reputation as one of most exciting young strikers in world football appears more than justified.
The only problem is, occasions like this, moments like that, have been few and far between since the Serbia international completed his £70 million move from Fiorentina to Juventus two years ago.
A brace in Tuesday’s 3-0 Serie A shellacking of Sassuolo took Dusan Vlahovic’s tally to nine from 18 games. A respectable return, yes, but hardly befitting of a centre-forward who, during his time in Florence, was seen as perhaps the best young marksman on the continent not named Erling Haaland.
Still, it’s hard to imagine even Haaland converting the chances Vlahovic put away against Sassuolo. If you can call them ‘chances’, that is.
Arsenal linked Dusan Vlahovic hits stunning Juventus brace
There seemed to be nothing on whatsoever before Vlahovic whipped a sumptuous finish into the top corner of the Sassuolo net from outside of the box. 20 minutes later, Vlahovic went one better, rattling a fearsome free-kick into the proverbial onion bag.
Earlier this month, Juventus’ sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli insisted that Arsenal have not made an offer – as some had suggested – for his oft-maligned centre-forward. But with The Gunners crying out for a striker, and with Vlahovic showing a few tantalising signs of getting back to his barnstorming best, perhaps Arsenal will be tempted to change their stance and move again for a player who slipped through their net two years ago this month.
Vlahovic now has five goal contributions in his last four league matches, that stunning Sassuolo brace coming so soon after that gorgeous backheel assist to set up Adrien Rabiot against Roma.
Back to his best?
“Vlahovic played a good game,” Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri told Tuttomercatoweb after a result which kept the Bianconeri within two points of Serie A leaders Inter Milan.
“He was much calmer. This morning, I spoke to him and told him that he wanted to overdo it against Frosinone (recently), he got into an argument with the referee. Tonight, he was much more lucid.”
“Dusan went through a complicated moment. Now, he’s working hard to improve and is finding the right composure to manage the match.
“He’s a player born in 2000. He has a lot of time ahead of him.”
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