Vlahovic is set to return to Juventus training after months sidelined with an adductor injury, providing a massive boost to Luciano Spalletti’s Champions League push.
According to reports, Vlahovic could be back in action for Juventus as early as next weekend’s home clash against Pisa on March 7.
The Juventus striker has been injured for the past couple of months, dealing a huge blow to Juventus’s frontline. However, his perceived return has sent some sparks across the squad and fanbase.
His return couldn’t be more timely for manager Luciano Spalletti, who has been grappling with a bit of an identity crisis in the final third. Jonathan David has been the definition of hit or miss since taking over the starting role, and Lois Openda hasn’t quite managed to cement his place as a reliable alternative.
Vlahovic’s physical presence and clinical instinct, having already netted six goals earlier this term, are exactly what Juve needs to turn those frustrating draws into vital wins.
The stakes are incredibly high right now. Following a wild 3-3 draw against Roma on Sunday, Juventus currently sits in 6th place, four points adrift of the Giallorossi in that coveted fourth-place spot.
In a league where the margins for error are razor-thin, having a fit Vlahovic available for the final push could be the difference between a season of Champions League glory and one spent in the Europa League wilderness.
Adding another layer of intrigue to his return is the cloud of uncertainty hanging over his long-term future. With his contract at the Allianz Stadium set to expire at the end of the season, every goal he scores from here on out doubles as a high-stakes negotiation tactic. Whether he’s playing for a new deal in Turin or auditioning for the rest of Europe’s elite, a motivated and healthy Vlahovic is a terrifying prospect for opposition defenders.
As March 7 approaches, all eyes will be on the Juventus training ground to see how the 26-year-old handles the jump in intensity. If he can rediscover the form that saw him record eight goal involvements in just 17 appearances before his surgery, Spalletti might just have the cheat code he needs to vault Juventus back into the top four.
