MY ACCOUNT
Massimiliano Allegri encouraged the struggling Dusan Vlahovic to “remain serene” despite his missed penalty in Juventus’ 4-2 victory over Sampdoria.
The striker hit the post from 12 yards at the Allianz Stadium and despite a game-high eight shots on goal, he has now gone five successive Serie A matches without scoring for the first time in his career.
Vlahovic also saw four attempts blocked, and his frustration was evident as his efforts in front of goal reaped no rewards.
Meanwhile, Adrien Rabiot struck twice and Bremer and Matias Soule were also on target for the Bianconeri who, despite surrendering a 2-0 lead, closed the gap on fourth-place Milan to nine points.
But while Vlahovic continues to draw blanks, Allegri offered words of encouragement to his number nine.
“Dusan played a very good game,” he told DAZN. “He must remain serene. Tonight, he played better technically. He has to stay calm.
“Let’s not forget that he has been at Juventus for a year, he has done well, he is doing well. He has all the qualities to improve.
“When he manages to regulate his management of the game, he will be less hasty when the ball arrives.”
Rabiot, meanwhile, continued his most prolific season in front of goal, taking his tally to nine with his brace on Sunday.
But the midfielder has urged his team-mates to improve their concentration levels ahead of Thursday’s Europa League last-16 second leg against Freiburg, in which the Bianconeri hold a narrow 1-0 lead.
“In some moments, I have to take responsibility, if there is a need to do it alone,” he said. “Tonight, I scored an important goal to bring the victory.
“I’m happy – a little less for the first half where we started well, but conceded two goals that we must not concede.
“We have to work and be more focused during the game. Don’t be careless because we scored two goals. We had to win to prepare well for the game against Freiburg.”
The France international’s future is uncertain with his Juve contract set to expire at the end of the season, but he admits he is content in Turin.
“At the moment, I don’t think about anything,” he added. “I’m happy with the help to the team and then we’ll see. Here, I’m fine; I’m scoring a lot of goals, and I think I’ll score more.”
