For the majority of the 2024-25 season, [Juventus](https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com) coach Thiago Motta has been leaning on Dusan Vlahovic to shoulder the load of playing time up front. Juve’s only other option in the No. 9 position, Arek Milik, has been injured ever since June, meaning the big Serbian had started every game up until last month when he suffered a muscle injury during the November international break.
After missing three games due to said injury, word came out earlier this week that Vlahovic had returned to training — a welcome sight for a Juve attack that struggled mightily to score goals in his absence.
On Friday, Motta confirmed that the 24-year-old striker would return to the squad that will face Bologna at the Allianz Stadium. But there is one catch: we’re still not totally sure if Vlahovic will be fit enough to play from the start — and that is something Motta decided to play very close to the vest as he gets set to face his former club for the first time since his summer move to Turin.
“Dusan will be in the group tomorrow. He’s trained with the team this week,” Motta said at his pre-match press conference. “We are happy Vlahovic is back to do what he loves and his work, which is to enter the pitch and play football.”
As Motta further confirmed, Vlahovic will be one of three Juventus players returning from injury this weekend, with Nicolo Savona and Vasilije Adžić also deemed fit to face Bologna.
“Adzic and Savona will also be back,” Motta said. “We are happy that there is more depth in the squad again, but also personally for those returning to be able to do their job on the pitch. We will also have youngsters Diego Pugno, Augusto Owusu, Filippo Pagnucco and Niccolò Rizzo in the squad with us tomorrow.”
Saturday night’s matchup in Turin will be the first time Motta has faced Bologna — who he led into Europe for the first time in six decades last season — since his move to Juventus over the summer.
“I spent two fantastic years in Bologna at a human and sporting level. I have nothing to add about the rest,” the 42-year-old Motta said.
Juventus enter the weekend in sixth place in Serie A and on the back of three straight draws in all competitions. They’ve got four draws in their last six league matchups, and have struggled to score without Vlahovic in the lineup.
“We are coming into the match off the back of a series of games we have not won, after some mixed performances that were good at times but also highlighted areas in which we need to improve,” Motta said. “We must focus on both sides of the game, not just on the attacking phase: to do that the responsibility lies with everyone, not just individuals, but all the players on the pitch together, starting with the goalkeeper. Everyone contributes in their own way, both in the game and during the week: there are guys who don’t play often but help us to improve daily in training by raising the level.”
Besides the big injury boosts with Vlahovic and Savona returning this weekend, Juventus also have the good fortune of being able to play their next four games in front of their fans at the Allianz Stadium. After three straight games away from home coming out of the international break, Motta’s squad won’t head back out on the road until they play against Monza a couple of days before Christmas.
“We would like to thank the fans again who will come to support us in large numbers at the stadium tomorrow: the important thing is what we do on the pitch and the quality of our play,” Motta said. “I’m convinced that together with the fans we can put on a great performance. Bologna are in good form, they’re a great team that are very direct and press a lot: we have to concentrate to avoid being hurt by their high intensity play. I spent two wonderful years in Bologna, both on a human and sporting level.”
On Thursday, Juventus found out who their first three Club World Cup opponents will be when the group stage draw took place. Most notably, Juventus were draw against reigning English champions Manchester City, who the Bianconeri host in the Champions League next Wednesday in a very important league phase fixture for both sides considering where they sit in the 36-team table.
“We are playing Manchester City in a few days in the Champions League, but right now I am focused on Bologna,” Motta said. “I can say that in June the Club World Cup will be a fantastic competition, but we will think about it closer to the time knowing that it will be another great opportunity to try and do well.”