Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic believes the Old Lady will ‘fight until the end’ to win the Serie A title despite off-the-pitch issues and explains his goal celebration against Switzerland: ‘It was a personal thing.’
Vlahovic scored his first World Cup goal in Qatar on Friday night, but his national team Serbia faced elimination in the group phase following a 3-2 loss against Switzerland.
His goal had put Serbia ahead in the first half, but the celebration created controversy in an already tense match.
The 22-year-old celebrated by letting out his rage and then grabbing his crotch in a gesture towards the crowd and cameras.
“It was a personal thing. Don’t think it was a challenge to somebody, it only has to do with me,” the striker told Gazzetta.
“Scoring a goal was a great feeling, but we didn’t get a result, so it means nothing.”
Serbia were the team with the most Serie A players in Qatar, but their journey at the World Cup is over after just three games.
“We lost and we go home, the feelings on the pitch are not good, but we look ahead, we return to the pitch in March and we’ll try to qualify for the Euros,” said Vlahovic.
“I am ok, the pain has diminished, but it’s still there. The substitution was the coach’s choice, it was not easy, but I feel well.
“I expect more and more from myself. I had been out of action for a month and a half, I don’t even know when was the last time I started a game.”
Vlahovic had played just one game at the World Cup before last night, coming off the bench in a 2-0 loss against Brazil in Serbia’s debut at Qatar 2022.
He has been struggling with a groin injury over the last two months, making his last appearance with Juventus on October 25 against Benfica.
The ex-Fiorentina striker will find a tricky situation when he is back in Turin, given that the whole board of directors, including President Andrea Agnelli, resigned Monday night.
“Let’s see, when I return to Italy, I haven’t understood quite well what happened. It was a pleasure to have had him [Agnelli as president,” said Vlahovic.
Has he spoken to some of his teammates?
“No, we haven’t talked about it. I am a player and I am focused on the pitch.”
However, Vlahovic admitted he had spoken to the club’s representatives about the matter.
“We spoke about it, they told me what happened and what I had read on papers.
“We play game by game, we are 10 points behind Napoli who are playing great football, but Juventus never give up and we’ll fight until the end.”