Ex-Juventus striker Darko Kovacevic sees two problems for Dusan Vlahovic at the Allianz Stadium and believes Filip Kostic ‘needs time’ to settle in.
Vlahovic and Kostic have returned to Turin after a convincing international break with Serbia. The striker scored his first goal from open play since August 15, and his national team won both international friendlies against Sweden and Erling Haaland’s Norway.
Vlahovic has scored four goals in eight games with Juventus across all competitions this season, but only one from open play, in the first Serie A game of the season against Sassuolo.
“The season has just started and injuries have affected Juventus. Clearly, things are not going well at the moment,” Kovacevic, a former Juventus striker, said in an interview with La Gazzetta Dello Sport.
“I can’t criticise a coach who has won so many trophies like Allegri. I am sure that we’ll see a different Juventus when Chiesa and Pogba return. I think Dusan was only anxious…
“I remember a time when I didn’t score for three months. I tried, but it just didn’t go in. Perhaps, Vlahovic has had a similar issue. He hadn’t found the net from open pay since August 15, he will benefit from the goal against Norway.”
However, the ex-striker still believes the Bianconeri must fix some tactical issues to offer their striker more goal-scoring opportunities.
“It can’t be denied that he doesn’t get enough service at Juventus, but soon there will be more quality players helping him. Just think of Chiesa. There is great pressure at Juventus,” he said.
Another Kovacevic compatriot, Kostic, has recently joined the Bianconeri but is still adapting to life in Turin.
The former centre-forward believes the talented winger only needs time to show his best at the Allianz Stadium.
“Let’s give him time. He arrived less than two months ago, he has to adapt to a new football and a new country. He may not be Messi, but has everything to do well. I would have paid to have someone like him when I was playing. With all his crosses, I would have scored even more goals.”
Kovacevic, 48, played for Juventus and Lazio in Serie A and scored 26 goals in 71 games with the Bianconeri.