Juve, Chiesa-Vlahovic, good first but… Balance sheet and perspectives of the most awaited couple

Juve is back: against Lazio the right attitude was revised in one fell swoop, the short-faced victory, the clean sheet forgotten in the last three matches (but the thirteenth this season). What was missing, on an evening that saw Juve plastered and disoriented get back on track, was the take-off of the awaited couple Vlahovic-Chiesa, twins, different friends outside and accomplices on the pitch (cit. Chiesa). Their last time as a couple? A Fiorentina-Sampdoria match dating back to 2 October 2020: a goal by Vlahovic did not prevent the Viola from defeat, then Chiesa changed his shirt. Their last goal “as a couple” dates back to a match against Monza in the Coppa Italia, in August 2019, with an assist from Vlahovic and a goal from Chiesa.

The stories

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The two forwards have therefore already played together in the purple shirt, but at the time the Serbian was a very promising youngster making his debut in Serie A, while Chiesa had already earned the status of young confirmation, so much so that Juve had first bet on him and then taken to Turin. Thus the two have never been a steady couple on the pitch, however starting to cement an off-pitch understanding that can still become a determining factor for the explosion of synergy on the pitch. Yesterday Allianz announced their first joint presence in the black and white shirt, after 369 days at Juve. After all, Vlahovic had arrived at the end of the January 2022 transfer market, a few weeks after the injury that blocked Chiesa until the beginning of November. And when Federico met again on the pitch, Vlahovic’s problems (groin pain) had already started again, after a summer often shared at Continassa just to try to get out of their respective injuries. Then, finally, the green light, in the quarterfinals of the Italian cup against Lazio.

Extenuating circumstances

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The first outing was encouraging, even if not triumphant, as could be expected. Extenuating circumstances? Both strikers are still in the process of returning after long stops, with the Serbian further back in terms of physical condition. In fact, he came back available only two games ago, against Monza, and having a heavier physique he needs more time. Against Lazio it was his first match since 1′ after 10 stop games (8 in Serie A, 1 in the Champions League and 1 in the Italian Cup) and 25 minutes of use against the Brianza players. Chiesa has often looked for him, and he himself has tried to get to the heart of the game by often returning to the frontline: mechanisms that still need to be oiled, but the “dress rehearsal” seen against Lazio suggests large margins for growth.

The prospects

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“Chiesa and Vlahovic? Federico came back well, Dusan did some good things and some less”, was Allegri’s comment at the end of the match. The priority now is Vlahovic’s return to the best condition, then depending on the matches, the Serbian will be able to play in tandem with Chiesa or in a trident with Di Maria too, in a 4-3-3 that Allegri indicated as the original idea , then shelved due to the unforeseen events reserved for a troubled season. But in the meantime, “real” Juve has gained other important pieces, and the configuration of the Vlahovic-Chiesa duo is one of these. Indeed probably the most important, also looking to the future. Starting with Tuesday’s race against Salernitana, which should offer another break-in to a couple that is being sought.