Tudor and His Staff Reinvigorate Juventus`s Strikers
A compelling question at the start of Juventus’s distinctive season is how Igor Tudor managed to place Dušan Vlahović back at the heart of the team. Beyond Vlahović`s resurgence, one of Tudor`s notable achievements is the development of young Montenegrin Vasilije Adzic, who also made a significant impact in the match against Inter. These are two parallel narratives, though the Serbian forward’s recovery naturally garners more attention.
A Shared Heritage Fosters Connection
Observing the dugout interactions clearly shows the strong bond between the Split-born coach and his players of common Balkan origin. It’s important not to overlook the crucial role played by Igor’s closest collaborators: his assistant Ivan Javorčić and goalkeeping coach Tomislav Rogic. This core coaching team, united by their shared roots, had already formed a strong working relationship at Lazio. This cultural affinity proved invaluable in establishing a rapport with talented players like Vlahović and Adzic, both of whom had uncertain futures over the summer. Day by day, Tudor and his staff cultivated a relationship that is now yielding successful results. Their common language significantly aided this process, as Serbo-Croatian once served to unite diverse ethnic groups in former Yugoslavia despite religious differences.
Vlahović Rediscovered
At Continassa, however, the frosty “Balkan wind” that once symbolized past conflicts is absent. Instead, within the Juventus camp, the Slavic members are actively supporting one another, and its positive effects are evident. Vlahović, in particular, seems to have regained his comfort and form, despite his contract remaining unresolved and nearing expiration. Tudor`s strong belief in him was clear even during pre-season. This commitment was underscored before the transfer window closed when he explicitly stated in a press conference: “I have expressed my opinion; it is up to the club to decide.” Evidently, his input was considered, and thankfully so. The situation was quite different under Thiago Motta; after successful years with Massimiliano Allegri (to the extent that following Allegri to Milan was a topic of discussion for several weeks), the arrival of the Italian-Brazilian coach had significantly disheartened the Belgrade-born striker.
The Coach`s Vital Influence
Reflecting on previous months, it`s easy to grasp that the cooling of relations between Dušan and Juventus stemmed from a difficult dynamic between the former coach and the centre-forward. While it’s too early to conclude that this revitalized relationship will fully alter the contract situation, it`s clear that the Juventus leadership will persist in their efforts. A motivated Vlahović is an asset too valuable to lose. Naturally, the financial aspect is substantial, as the Serbian striker has consistently held high expectations for his salary, reportedly seeking figures above 8 million euros even from Milan. As time progresses, his bargaining power only continues to increase.
Therefore, the negotiations are still very much in play, but the ongoing dialogue established over these months with Tudor and his staff could significantly assist Juventus`s management. In recent weeks, indications emerged that Comolli and his collaborators were prepared to propose a contract renewal to the player’s representatives, including a clause allowing him to leave for an accessible fee, estimated around 35 million euros. However, no positive signals have yet been received from the Ristic brothers, Dušan’s agents. Nonetheless, situations can change, especially when goals begin to flow in abundance.
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