Vlahovic Benched Again: Juventus Legends and Pundits React

Juventus manager Thiago Motta’s decision to bench Dusan Vlahovic in their Champions League playoff against PSV Eindhoven has sparked debate among football legends and pundits.

Del Piero: “Vlahovic’s Value Has Dropped”

Former Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero has raised concerns over Vlahovic’s declining influence at the club.

“It is right to give value to Kolo Muani because if you sign him, he has to play,” Del Piero said. “However, the former Fiorentina player had an extreme and enormous value, whereas today, he is very much in the shadows. Everything at Juventus is worth double; perhaps the only thing that isn’t worth double is goals because scoring for them is a duty. For everything else, any situation that arises gets significant attention. The feeling from the numbers, the looks, and the Frenchman’s performances is that the Serbian player is on a downward trajectory. Let’s hope for the best. He now needs to do something.”

Di Canio: “It’s Not His Fault”

Paolo Di Canio took a more sympathetic stance, arguing that Vlahovic’s struggles stem from his lack of playing time.

“He is struggling, but it’s not Vlahovic’s fault,” Di Canio explained. “He plays seven or eight minutes, and only in one recent match did he get more playing time. His pride must come through, but this is the worst way to achieve it. Thiago Motta backed up his words with actions. In Como, everyone came on except him when they needed to win the match.”

A Career in Limbo

Vlahovic’s situation at Juventus reflects a sharp decline from his once-promising trajectory. Once seen as one of Europe’s top young strikers, he now finds himself on the fringes of the squad, with his market value reportedly falling. As speculation over his future intensifies, the Serbian forward faces a crucial few months that could define the next stage of his career.

Site Opinion

Vlahovic’s exclusion from Juventus’ starting XI is a clear signal that the club is moving in a different direction. While Kolo Muani’s rise may justify Thiago Motta’s decision in the short term, it raises questions about Juventus’ long-term planning. The club invested heavily in Vlahovic, but with his role now reduced, they risk losing a valuable asset for far less than they originally paid.

For Vlahovic, the situation is becoming untenable. A striker thrives on confidence and game time, neither of which he is getting in Turin. If Juventus no longer sees him as a key figure, a summer transfer seems inevitable. Whether he stays in Italy or seeks a fresh start abroad, one thing is certain—his current trajectory at Juventus is unsustainable.