Serbia national team head coach Dragan Stojkovic has publicly criticized Juventus over their treatment of centre-forward Dusan Vlahovic, who has been struggling to secure playing time since the arrival of Randal Kolo Muani from Paris Saint-Germain. Despite being Juventus's leading goalscorer this season, Vlahovic has found himself relegated to the bench, leading to concerns about his development.
Vlahovic started only three of Juventus's last twelve matches after Kolo Muani joined the club earlier this year. The matches include notable instances such as the 2-0 loss to Benfica, where Vlahovic could not make his mark, and the 1-0 win over Cagliari, where he did score the decisive goal. Unfortunately, he also suffered with the team during their penalty shootout exit against Empoli in the Coppa Italia quarter-final.
Most recently, on March 16, 2025, Vlahovic was left on the bench for the entire match during Juventus's disappointing 3-0 loss away to Fiorentina, even though Kolo Muani has not found the back of the net for more than a month. This decision has sparked debates among pundits and fans alike about the Italian club's management and Vlahovic's role.
Stojkovic remarked on the situation during a press conference, emphasizing his support for the player. "I have a good opinion of Vlahovic and his qualities. Every player has positive and negative moments in their careers. We appreciate Dusan as one of the most important pieces of our game," Stojkovic stated, according to Corriere dello Sport. "He will always play with me because here he has the opportunity to show what they are doing to him isn't good."
The Serbian head coach's comments come at a time when Vlahovic's stocks seem to be diminishing at Juventus, contrasting sharply with his prominent position on the national team. Stojkovic underlined the importance of Vlahovic to Serbia, indicating he enjoys the player's contributions and remains committed to keeping him involved.
Vlahovic began the season as Juventus’s first-choice striker, playing non-stop with little to no competition for his position. His playing time took a significant downturn following Kolo Muani's impressive introduction, which favored head coach Thiago Motta. Stojkovic shed light on the challenge, stating, "There is often a negative atmosphere around clubs at certain times, and it seems to be impacting Dusan's playtime. I won't comment on why he isn’t playing at Juventus; that's for them to figure out."
This lack of playing time brings significant concerns about Vlahovic's development, especially with the international schedule approaching. Competing on the global stage requires players to be match-fit and regularly participating at the club level.
Vlahovic had previously expressed his sentiment about representing Serbia, stating he enjoys playing for his country more than his club primarily due to the different atmosphere and pressures involved. The national team's managerial backing might just provide the motivation he needs to overcome his club challenges.
While Vlahovic remains steadfast among the Serbian contingent, questions loom about how long he can remain on the sidelines at Juventus without it affecting his performance for his national side. Stojkovic’s confidence sends out signals to fans and stakeholders alike; he believes Vlahovic is integral to Serbia’s plans, regardless of the situation at Juventus.
With his ties to the national team fostering his confidence, it’s clear Stojkovic recognizes the potential Vlahovic holds. Time will tell how this drama at Juventus will play out and how it impacts Vlahovic’s form leading up to key international fixtures.
