Vlahovic back to old ways
After a superb 2023/24 season, Vlahovic’s disappointing Euro 2024 along with Juve’s poor pre-season campaign had many Juve fans worrying about how Vlahovic would fare going into the new season. Despite having a good performance, it was simply not Vlahovic’s day in front of goal against Como in the season opener, spurning several gilt-edged chances. The trip to Verona finally saw Vlahovic finally break his duck for the 24/25 Serie A campaign with a brace on Monday.
Vlahovic excelled in the game, earning the Serie A MVP award for his efforts. The Serb opened the scoring on 28 minutes, with an assist from Kenan Yildiz, before grabbing Juvebtus’ third from the penalty spot in the second half. Vlahovic could have even staked a claim for a hat trick, with cameras showing Vlahovic getting at most an eyebrow on the ball as Nicolo Savona’s goal headed into the net. Thankfully for Savona, Vlahovic immediately went over to congratulate him when it went, graciously allowing him the goal.
Another debut star in Savona
It was two first starts in two games, and more importantly two debutant goals in two games as Nicolò Savona got on the scoresheet on Monday. With Danilo still only fit enough for the bench, Thiago Motta handed the 21-year-old his first start for Juve, after Savona was promoted from the NextGen squad in the summer and signed a new contract. After Samuel Mbangula last week, Thiago Motta’s faith was repaid yet again when Savona got his head onto Mbangula’s cross on 39 minutes, looping it into the net for 2-0.
It was an incredible moment for the lad who had to travel 140km each way, three times a week, to train with Juventus from the age of eight. Even without the goal, Savona’s performance was exceptional, receiving the highest match ratings of any Juve player in La Gazzetta dello Sport (7.5), Tuttosport (9) and Il Corriere dello Sport (7.5). With Danilo approaching full fitness, Thiago Motta has a selection headache at right back for the visit of Roma.
Mbangula vs. Luiz
Speaking of Next Gen graduates, Samuel Mbangula showed he was no flash in the pan with yet another exceptional performance after his headline-grabbing debut at home to Como. He claimed the assist on Savona’s goal, after hitting the deep cross onto his head. Mbangula then drew the penalty which Vlahovic scored to make it 3-0 after as the winger burst into the penalty box before being brought down by Verona defender Jackson Tchatchoua.
Mbangula was replaced on 68 minutes by €50 million signing Douglas Luiz, who has yet to start a game thanks to Mbangula’s form. Luiz showed once again exactly why he commanded such a lofty price tag, toying with the Verona defence. Despite being boxed in throughout, Luiz showed composure as he skipped around incoming defenders trying to win the ball back. One would assume that Luiz will start for the Bianconeri to start him sooner rather than later, but Mbangula has made a compelling case to keep his spot.
Locatelli Reborn
It looked like a point of no return for Manuel Locatelli after he was booed by his own fans at the friendly against the club’s Next Gen outfit. A horrendous 23/24 season left Locatelli out of favour not only with Juventus, but with Italy, losing his place in the national team, and drawing the ire of the Bianconeri fans. Motta in that moment chose to the second half of that friendly as captain, a masterstroke which has given Locatelli new purpose and a desire to repay the manager for his backing.
Locatelli had been superb against Como, but was even better against Verona. According to , Locatelli registered a game-high 113 touches against Verona, creating 101 passes as he dictated the tempo and direction of the game from midfield. After floundering in Max Allegri’s dour defensive set up, Locatelli looks far more like the player who shone at Roberto Di Zerbi’s Sassuolo, playing a pivotal part in Motta’s new pressing style.
Top of the Table
By the time the two met on Monday, results elsewhere left Juventus and Hellas Verona the only two 100% sides left in Serie A. Juve were barely troubled throughout as a second 3-0 win on the trot propelled them to the top of the pile, the only club with six points.
While it’s far too early to start surmising about the title, Juventus have set down a marker. Inter’s unexpected opening day draw at Genoa on matchday one already sees them trailing, while their city rivals Milan have had a disastrous start to the season, drawing with Torino and then losing to Parma. Juve, by comparison, have barely had a glove laid on them by Como and Verona. Tougher tests lie ahead, notably Roma at home on Sunday, but with Motta’s new style working wonders, Juve have already staked their claim as the leader of the Serie A pack.