After missing out on the Serie A title in the last three seasons, Juventus are looking like serious contenders to lift the Scudetto in the 2023-24 season. Allegri’s men are getting the results and sit second behind Inter Milan. Juventus are getting the results but they are not a dominant team when it comes to attack. The club averages 1.5 goals per match, the lowest among other top teams fighting for the title.
Juventus couldn’t make significant signings in the summer and were lucky not to lose their Serbian talisman. Dusan Vlahovic is one of the top-rated strikers in the world and can change the game in a moment. However, the player has failed to make a huge impact since his move to Turin. The Serbian is not scoring at regular intervals and Juventus have to look for other options to score a goal. Let’s take a look at how Vlahovic has played for the Old Lady and whether is he justifying his price tag.
Competing with the best
The above two visuals show the percentile rank of Dusan Vlahovic in comparison to other centre-forwards in Tier 1 of league football from the current and the previous season. Last season, the 23-year-old played in 27 league games and scored 10 times. His percentile rank was on the lower side in possession and defensive departments. This season, there has been a significant increase in the attacking department but the scoring rate has not improved.
Dusan Vlahovic could have netted seven goals but he missed two chances from the penalty spot. The 23-year-old forward averages 3.5 shots per 90 minutes and has a 39% accuracy rate. His shot map shows that the player has missed quite a few easy chances from inside the opposition penalty box. Vlahovic targeted the left side of the goalkeeper and saw some of his shots finding the bottom corner and some missing by an inch.
The above two visuals show the shot map of the players combined in the 2022-23 and the 2023-24 season. Vlahovic attacks the ball in similar areas and likes to beat the goalkeeper on his left. Vlahovic has lacked a bit of confidence while converting penalties and has a 50% conversion rate combined in both seasons. These are signs of struggles for a top player and he needs to improve his conversion rate.
Another area where Vlahovic has lacked a bit is in combining with his partner in the attack. A top player creates chances for his striking partner and often delivers some quality passes in and around the penalty box. Vlahovic has created four shot taking chances for his teammates and has an assist to his name this season.
The Serbian forward needs to step up his game and convert more chances. Juventus need their No. 9 to lift the team in the ranking and put pressure on the league leaders.
Visuals via TFA data viz engine
