Serbia national team coach Dragan Stojkovic has come out in strong support of Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, criticizing the player’s treatment under manager Thiago Motta. Speaking from the Serbian national team camp, Stojkovic expressed his unwavering confidence in Vlahovic’s abilities and potential.
“I have a good and high opinion of Vlahovic and his qualities,” Stojkovic stated, addressing the recent lack of playing time for the 25-year-old forward at Juventus. Since January, Vlahovic has played just 153 minutes in Serie A, averaging less than 20 minutes per match.
Motta’s decisions have pushed Juventus’s most expensive signing to the fringes of the team. The situation reached a new low when Vlahovic was left on the bench for the entire 90 minutes during the recent defeat at Fiorentina, subjected to jeers and whistles from his former supporters.
For Vlahovic, the international break comes as a welcome respite. Stojkovic has already begun to restore the striker’s confidence, promising him playing time and trust. “Here, he has the opportunity to show that what they’re doing to him isn’t right,” the coach declared.
Stojkovic’s message to Motta was clear and direct, coming at a particularly challenging time for the Juventus manager. “In football, there comes a time when there’s a negative atmosphere in the club,” Stojkovic continued. “I won’t go into details or comment on why he’s not playing or if he should be used more. That’s their business. Every player has positive and negative moments in their career, and we appreciate Dusan as one of the most important pieces of our game.”
The Serbian coach concluded with a promise that stands in stark contrast to Vlahovic’s current situation at Juventus: “With me, he will always play.”
This latest criticism follows Vlahovic’s own comments from last November, where he hinted at his preference for Serbia’s tactical approach: “I like playing with another striker beside me, but it also depends on the coach. Stojkovic hasn’t obliged me to do many defensive tasks…”
