GdS: Juventus would have swapped Vlahovic for one Milan player – the background

Juventus were willing to send Dusan Vlahovic to AC Milan in an exchange deal in the summer for one player above all.

This morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport talks about the three weapons that Massimiliano Allegri will use to try and beat Juventus in his return to the Allianz Stadium. One is the trickery and creativity of Christian Pulisic, another is the physicality and energy of Youssouf Fofana.

Saelemaekers swap background

Then there is Alexis Saelemaekers, who Allegri hopes will be a ‘thorn in the side’ of Juve quite literally, given he occupies the flank. Alexis has already scored a goal against Napoli and put in a series of good performances.

It’s in Allegri’s system that the Belgian has finally found his rightful place: right wing-back in a five-man midfield, supporting the defence and complementing the attack. In this highly practical role, Saelemaekers has earned the admiration of several clubs, including Juventus themselves.

Image: AC Milan

Last summer, the Bianconeri management would have gladly welcomed him to Turin, even in a deal for Dusan Vlahovic. Essentially, in order to get Saelemaekers for Igor Tudor, Juve would have given up the centre-forward who had been in the Rossoneri orbit for weeks.

Everyone remained in their place though, and Allegri is happy to have the former Anderlecht man for Sunday’s crucial game.