1 week ago
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The big move for AC Milan this summer is a case of will they, won’t they. It, of course, is the move for Dusan Vlahovic.
The situation is comparable to that of a chess match. Milan must move the right pieces at the right moments, whilst also considering what Juventus do. It is an immensely complex situation, financially, which is why other elements have to be considered.
On the pitch, then, is where the next interest is. Where can Vlahovic work, and who can he work alongside? It seems obvious, to a degree. However, things have to align, and there must be synergy in the front line.
Capello on Vlahovic
Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao provide a known product, as does Vlahovic. The question, though, is whether that trio can combine to something greater than what is already there. This morning, Fabio Capello spoke about the situation to Gazzetta dello Sport, offering his thoughts on the potential success of a move.
“Is Vlahovic and AC Milan a marriage that’s inevitable? I won’t delve into the financial considerations, whose intricacies we can’t fully grasp. Let’s instead focus on the technical and tactical issues, starting with a detail that isn’t really a detail: the Rossoneri are coached by Massimiliano Allegri, someone who knows the Juventus striker very well.
“What does that mean? Simple, if Max believes Vlahovic is a good fit for his current team, he’s right.
“He’s seen him day after day in training for two and a half years, and knows the strengths and weaknesses of the player and the man. Because we only see the match on Sundays, but a coach “lives” with the player all week, even grasping his untapped potential.
“From the outside, one thing seems clear: Juventus’ Vlahovic wasn’t up to the level of Fiorentina’s Vlahovic. And I believe the cause lies primarily in the weight of the shirt and a transfer fee that, including fees and bonuses, reached over €90 million. Dusan has lost his way a bit, despite Allegri himself having strongly wanted him in Turin.
“Yet he remains a player with well-defined qualities: he’s quick, has a lethal left foot, and is a good shot in the air. These qualities make him a great centre-forward, despite the difficulties he’s encountered recently.
“A change of scenery could be beneficial, first and foremost, for Vlahovic himself. At Juventus, it seems to me he’s now entered a downward spiral from which it would be difficult to escape, without considering the contractual issues that I believe are at the root of his desire to part ways. You might say: the AC Milan shirt and San Siro weigh heavily, right? True, perhaps even more. But DV9 wouldn’t arrive in Milan with the same pressure he faced in Turin in 2022.
“Here, he wouldn’t be the new phenomenon sought after by all of Europe, the €90 million man, but a striker who needs to relaunch himself and prove he’s still a top player. In my opinion, he’d be fired up with a desire to redeem himself. And he’d have a valuable ally in Allegri. Because, beyond the rumours about the two’s past relationship, if Max chooses you again, it means he respects you. And, mind you, the coach himself is very much on the side of caution if this deal goes through, because it would leave a mark on everyone. Vlahovic would be the signing Allegri wanted, for better or for worse.
“Why would Allegri want Vlahovic at Milan? It’s certainly not on a whim; he’s not that kind of coach. Rather, I believe Max is convinced he needs a penalty-playing striker, rather than a collector. Dusan struggled to communicate with his teammates at Juve, but when he gets a good ball, he knows what he’s doing.
“The Livorno-born coach probably thinks the Rossoneri are already capable of developing their play and just need a reliable striker to convert those chances into goals. In short, a centre-forward like Vlahovic is happy for Leao to throw the ball in often, while others don’t. I would see the two coexisting like this: Rafa should create with his runs, and Dusan should score as often as possible.
“I wouldn’t expect triangles or any other kind of understanding. It should also be remembered that the Serbian is only 25 years old. He hasn’t yet reached the peak of his career’s physical and mental maturity. AC Milan, thanks to the ups and downs at Juventus, can acquire him on favourable terms.
“We’re still talking about a significant investment, but if Dusan were to return to the Fiorentina side, the Rossoneri would have pulled off a coup. The same striker was sold for three or four times the price the Rossoneri could buy him for today. Deep down, I believe Allegri is harbouring this hope, having glimpsed that player at Continassa, who then failed to perform a few too many times.
“The two could try again together, starting with their 41 goals in 101 games together for Juventus and a hunger for revenge that could make AC Milan’s fortunes. Speaking of which, after an eighth-place finish at Milanello, many will be eager to bounce back. And then, yes, Vlahovic could really feel at home.
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