Dusan Vlahovic continues to showcase his prolific scoring abilities, netting twice as Juventus secured a dominant 3-0 victory over Verona on Monday, marking their second consecutive win at the start of the Serie A season. This strong start under new head coach Thiago Motta has Juventus fans optimistic about the possibility of reclaiming the Scudetto for the first time since the 2019/20 season.
Juventus, who began their campaign with an impressive 3-0 victory over Como, are the only team with a perfect record after two matches, sitting atop the early Serie A table. This promising start is a breath of fresh air for the club, which has faced several challenges in recent seasons. Last year, Juve finished third in Serie A, their highest position in four years, but still far from their glory days of dominating Italian football.
The club’s managerial change has also been a significant talking point. Thiago Motta took over as head coach following Massimiliano Allegri’s departure, which came after a heated outburst in the aftermath of their Italian Cup final win in May. Motta’s appointment signaled a shift in direction, and early signs suggest that his tactical approach and emphasis on team mentality are already bearing fruit.
The match against Verona was a testament to Juventus’ newfound confidence and cohesion. Vlahovic, who has quickly become a key figure in Motta’s plans, opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark. His clinical finish was a reminder of the talent that Juventus has at their disposal, and the striker’s form will be crucial as the season progresses.
Juventus doubled their lead before halftime through Nicolo Savona, a 21-year-old defender making his full debut for the club. Savona rose high to head home from a well-placed cross by Samuel Mbangula, showcasing the depth of talent that Juventus can call upon. Mbangula, a Belgian winger who has been promoted from the youth ranks, has been a revelation in the early stages of the season. With a goal and two assists in his first two senior team appearances, he is proving to be a valuable asset for Motta.
Vlahovic then put the game beyond Verona’s reach with a penalty just eight minutes into the second half. The Serbian forward calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper, sealing Juventus’ second win and giving them a solid platform to build on. After the match, Vlahovic spoke to DAZN about the positive impact that Motta has had on the team, particularly regarding their attitude and aggression.
“He is certainly working hard on our aggression and our attitude,” Vlahovic said. “We all agree that our attitude is the key to everything, if we have the right mentality, it all works better. We play for each other, but also there are tactical changes that we know about.”
Vlahovic’s comments reflect the growing confidence within the Juventus camp, as they look to regain their position as the dominant force in Italian football. However, the real test of their credentials will come on Sunday when they host Roma, a team that has also made a strong start to the season. This clash is expected to provide a clearer picture of where Juventus stand in the Serie A pecking order.
Elsewhere, Como secured their first Serie A point since 2003, coming from behind to draw 1-1 with Cagliari. Former AC Milan forward Patrick Cutrone was the hero for Como, scoring a second-half equalizer that gave his side a valuable point.
Como coach Cesc Fabregas expressed satisfaction with the result but acknowledged that his team needs to adapt quickly to the demands of Serie A. “I am happy, because this is a difficult place to play, but at the same time we need to improve and as soon as possible get used to the Serie A tempo,” Fabregas said.
As the Serie A season begins to take shape, all eyes will be on Juventus to see if they can maintain their early momentum and challenge for the Scudetto once again. With Vlahovic in such fine form and Motta instilling a winning mentality, the signs are certainly promising.
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