Di Natale: No doubts about Vlahovic, but Juventus ‘not ready’ to fight for Scudetto – Football Italia

VILLARREAL, SPAIN – OCTOBER 01: Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Villarreal CF and Juventus at Estadio de la Ceramica on October 01, 2025 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

Serie A cult hero Antonio Di Natale believes that Dusan Vlahovic should be the default Juventus centre-forward, but believes that the Bianconeri are not currently among the sides capable of winning the Scudetto in 2025-26. 

The former Udinese and Empoli striker spoke in an interview with Tuttosport, published on Wednesday, discussing the fight for the 2025-26 Serie A title and the areas for Juventus to improve under Igor Tudor. 

The Bianconeri started the season promisingly, but faltered prior to the October international break with five consecutive draws across Serie A and the Champions League. Head coach Tudor currently has the exact same record in Serie A as his predecessor Thiago Motta had this time last year. 

Di Natale on Juventus and Vlahovic: ‘Lack of hierarchy’

As things stand, Di Natale believes that there are four teams in the race for the 2025-26 Scudetto, but Juventus are not one of them. 

“I’m still in love with football, I’m passionate about watching it, even if it’s no longer the same as what it was in my time. There isn’t as much quality in Italy,” he said at the beginning of his interview with Tuttosport. 

“I like Napoli and Milan, but watch out for Inter and the Scudetto. Gasperini’s Roma are also intriguing to me.” 

And when asked if Juventus are also in the mix for the league title this season, Di Natale replied: “No, I don’t think they’re ready to fight for the Italian title. But they have the means to qualify for the Champions League and also to do well in Europe this season: The two draws against Borussia Dortmund and Villarreal are not to be sniffed at. 

“Obviously the criticism is now about psychology: If you’re Juve and draw five games in a row, it’s a problem. But Tudor will recover, I’m sure.”

Di Natale agrees that Juventus’s biggest issue is in attack. 

“There’s a lack of hierarchy. David and Openda have also come in from different leagues, it takes a bit of time. I was used to having teammates of different nationalities at Udinese, but those who had quality kicked on. Maybe not immediately, but over time, they did.” 

And who does Di Natale believe should be the starting centre-forward for Juventus?

“Vlahovic, without a doubt. He did extraordinarily at Fiorentina, and has been in double figures every year since he went to Juve. He will never score 30 goals a season, but he’s still a great player, someone who makes the difference in Serie A.”