Vlahovic’s Special Celebration as Juventus Edge Cagliari; Gatti Calls for Improvements
Dusan Vlahovic marked his first Serie A start of 2025 in style, capitalizing on a costly mistake by Yerry Mina to slot home a well-taken goal and secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory for Juventus over Cagliari. Despite creating several first-half opportunities, the Bianconeri failed to put the game to bed early, allowing Cagliari to mount a spirited comeback after the break. However, Juventus held firm to take all three points.
Speaking to DAZN after the match, Vlahovic emphasized the team’s triumph over personal accolades.
“The most important thing is that we won. Of course, I’m happy to have scored, but securing the three points is what truly matters,” he stated.
His goal celebration also carried a personal touch. “The basketball gesture was for the physios. We share a common passion, and they asked me to celebrate that way if I scored today,” he revealed.
A Statement Performance Amidst Squad Competition
Vlahovic’s return to the starting lineup comes at a crucial time, as he has recently found himself competing for a place following the arrival of Randal Kolo Muani from Paris Saint-Germain. Despite this increased competition, the Serbian striker remains unfazed.
“I’m very calm about the situation,” he assured. “I’m a professional and always at the team’s disposal. It doesn’t weigh on me—I know that when I get my chance, I need to give my all because expectations are high. That’s my job, and I have no problem with it.”
However, Vlahovic acknowledged that Juventus must improve their game management.
“If we want to hit our targets, we can’t afford to struggle like we did in the second half. Cagliari are strong at home and make life difficult for many teams, but we should have put the game beyond doubt in the first half. We kept a clean sheet, but they were dangerous after the break.”
Gatti Calls for Growth After European Heartbreak
This crucial victory pushes Juventus two points ahead of Lazio in the race for a top-four finish and leaves them eight points behind new Serie A leaders Inter. It also provides a much-needed boost after their painful Champions League play-off exit at the hands of PSV Eindhoven in extra time.
Defender Federico Gatti stressed the importance of learning from recent setbacks.
“Getting back on track was vital, but we need to manage moments of fatigue better when we’re in control,” Gatti told DAZN.
“The table is getting tighter, and our objective remains to give our best in every match. Champions League qualification is crucial, and we’ll fight for it until the end.
“There’s no denying that our European elimination was a huge disappointment—we wanted to advance. But now, we have to lift ourselves up and keep pushing forward.”
Juventus will now turn their focus to maintaining their league momentum as they continue their pursuit of a return to the Champions League next season.
