Vlahovic: ‘I always respected decisions of the coach’ at Juventus

Dusan Vlahovic insists he ‘always respected the choices of the coach’ and hints at enjoying the tactical changes made by new Juventus coach Igor Tudor, after Thiago Motta’s dismissal.

The match with Roma kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s Serie A games on the Liveblog.

This is the first time since December 2024 that Vlahovic has been in the Juventus starting XI for two games in a row. He had fallen down the pecking order under Thiago Motta, leapfrogged by Randal Kolo Muani following the January loan move from Paris Saint-Germain.

Vlahovic diplomatic on Juventus changes

The Serbian was asked if he feels important again for the Bianconeri now that Tudor is at the helm.

“I always felt important for the team. I didn’t play for a while, but the coach makes his choices, and I always respected that. I just work hard to be ready when called upon,” Vlahovic told DAZN.

Tudor has transformed the tactics to a three-man defence, but also Nico Gonzalez seems to be in a more central role closer to Vlahovic now than the wide position he had been taking.

“It is certainly easier for a striker to have someone near him. The coach makes his decisions, I just try to be at his disposal and do what is asked of me.”

Is this back to being Vlahovic’s Juventus, or had it always been a team in his image?

“I don’t know, we’ll see. The important thing is to win games, give our heart and soul on the pitch, and I think we need to find that fire that we had lost. Now we hope to do well from now to the end of the season.”