Serena exclusive: "Juve, Vlahovic minimum 20 goals. The novelty in the squad is a..."

From bomber to bomber: the Serbian striker's profile, between strengths and weaknesses, and the evaluation of the incoming transfer market of the black and white club: "Dusan is not the only one in the head"

Turin - Aldo Serena, let's talk about Vlahovic : from striker to striker, first of all, how have you seen him in this first part of the season? «I saw him determined and aware, in every way at the center of the new Juventus. If anything, still struggling with excesses of enthusiasm, which he will have to work to manage better. He scored two goals, but there could have been more: Thiago Motta's technical project can really enhance him». 

How? 

«Already in the first three games we saw a more coordinated and, above all, faster game: the speed in building the maneuver, even more so in modern football where everyone participates in the defensive phase, is essential to facilitate the work of the attackers. So that they can surprise, facing an opposing defense that is not yet positioned at its best». 

And then? 

«And then, faced with a greater amount of play, he will receive many more balls close to the area. So he will have more opportunities to score, obviously, but also less pressure on him: the awareness of being able to have other opportunities during the game and the certainty of not having to wait long to play the ball, in the long run, ensure great mental serenity». 

Here, the mental aspect: is that his Achilles heel? 

«He has an excellent physique and is very good on a technical level, so it is above all in his mind that he can still grow. In my opinion it is right that he is enterprising and also that, at times, he gets angry, but he must find greater balance on the pitch. Too much ardor leads to a lack of lucidity and coolness in the decisive moment». 

People have been talking about him for a long time, but he is only 24 years old: could it also be a question of age? 

«Personal maturity can be a factor, of course. Every now and then I think back to the words of the senators in the locker room when I arrived at Torino: they told me how Pulici missed so many scoring opportunities until he was 22-23 years old. Then he “clicked” and from then on...». 

"Juve, the real news is one"

Which transfer market addition, instead, could exalt him the most? 

«If I think about Juventus in recent years, the real new element is represented by Douglas Luiz : the Brazilian thinks vertically and can easily set up Vlahovic on the first move. But he's not the only one...»  

Who else? 

« Conceiçao , on the wing, has already shown that he can break up matches during the game and supply the first striker well. But I also think of Nico Gonzalez: the Argentine is able to serve Vlahovic well, of course, but above all he is a player who knows how to occupy the area and is an excellent header. Opposing defenses, with him on the pitch, will not be able to focus their attention only on the Serbian...».  

If DV9 scored 18 goals last year, how many will he be able to score this year? 

« I am convinced that, with this game system, he will have at least three or four scoring opportunities every game. So I think he can easily exceed the 20 mark».