Juventus continued their recent resurgence with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Cagliari on February 23, 2025. This win marked their fourth consecutive triumph in Serie A, as they look to solidify their place among Italy's elite following mixed fortunes earlier this season.
The decisive moment came early, just 12 minutes in, when striker Dusan Vlahovic made the most of some defensive disarray from the hosts. After pouncing on a wayward back pass from Cagliari's Michel Adopo, Vlahovic deftly rounded goalkeeper Elia Caprile and slotted the ball home from a tight angle, effectively putting Juventus on the scoreboard.
Vlahovic's goal was not just significant for the match; it was also his ninth league goal of the season, underscoring his importance to the Bianconeri as they strive for Champions League qualification. Following the goal, Juventus ramped up their efforts to extend the lead, with standout performances from youngsters like Kenan Yildiz, who were eager to impress.
“The result is always the most important thing but I am also satisfied with the performance, especially in the first half when we played good football, creating many chances,” said Juventus manager Thiago Motta after the match. “The flaw was not putting the game to bed, and when you don’t do this against teams like Cagliari, who are well organized, you risk causing problems for yourself.”
Despite dominating the first half with 70% possession and creating numerous chances, Juventus entered halftime just one goal up. Vlahovic had another opportunity to double the lead late in the second half but was again thwarted by Caprile, who exhibited outstanding goalkeeping skills throughout the contest.
Cagliari, for their part, tried to rally back after the interval, introducing Zito Luvumbo to provide fresh legs on the left flank. The Sardinian side showed more desperation as the match progressed, pushing harder for an equalizer. Florinel Coman came close with a shot just wide of the post, reflecting the increased pressure as time ticked away.
“Today I should have scored, I always try to score for my team and for myself,” Yildiz reflected, lamenting missed opportunities but maintaining hope for the future. The 19-year-old had two clear chances but was unable to convert, demonstrating both the potential and growing pains of the young squad.
For Juventus, the victory was also significant for their standings. With this win, they moved to fourth place with 49 points, edging out competitors like Lazio and keeping them within reach of the Champions League spots. “It’s important to have these three points, especially coming off the back of our Champions League exit,” Vlahovic noted, emphasizing the pressing need for Juventus to maintain momentum.
The match not only highlighted Vlahovic's clinical finishing but also showcased the importance of solid teamwork as Juventus controlled the midfield with prolific play from Manuel Locatelli and Federico Gatti, who performed admirably defensively, helping to weather Cagliari’s late-game push.
Cagliari had hoped to capitalize on playing at home, where they had previously held Juventus to draws, but this time, the collective effort from the Juventus side proved too much. “Against quality teams like Juventus, you need to take your chances,” admitted Cagliari coach Davide Nicola.
The match ended with Juventus holding on to their narrow lead, successfully defending against Cagliari's late attacks. With injuries continuing to plague the team, including Douglas Luiz who had to exit the field after only 20 minutes, Juventus will need to navigate challenging upcoming fixtures with strategic depth.
The victory not only went down well with the fans but also underlined the need for the team to find ways to convert their chances more efficiently moving forward, as Motta emphasized: “If we want to grow as a team and achieve certain goals, we cannot suffer through the entire second half,” hinting at the need for urgency and improved finishing as they progress through the Serie A campaign.
Next up for Juventus is a Coppa Italia quarter-final match against Empoli, slated for February 26, 2025, as they aim to continue this positive stretch and find their footing both domestically and on the cup front.