Franck Ribery weighed on in Dusan Vlahovic’s difficulties at Juventus, noting how he is ‘different’ to Erling Haaland but is still ‘a top player’.
The 23-year-old Serbian striker has struggled to show his best in Turin following his €80m move from Fiorentina in 13 months ago. This season, Vlahovic has scored eight goals in 17 Serie A appearances, missing a number of games before and after the World Cup due to muscle injuries.
Questions are being asked about Vlahovic at Juventus and Massimiliano Allegri has publicly defended him on a number of occasions, highlighting the player’s contributions outside of goals.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Ribery discussed Vlahovic’s tough start to life with Juventus.
“Dusan has different characteristics from Haaland, but he is a top player. And he has great personality. Federico (Chiesa, ed.) and Dusan are my little brothers.
“At Juve they are facing more pressure. Starting with that of always having to win and score. Federico and Dusan have great potential, quality, courage.
“They are not afraid of anything. And they work hard in training, as I always advised them in Florence.”
Since his arrival, Vlahovic has scored 19 goals in 47 appearances across all competitions for Juventus, looking under par compared to his goalscoring exploits with Fiorentina.
The Serbian striker is contracted to the Bianconeri until June 2026 and has been linked with a move to the Premier League in the summer.