Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri has provided an explanation for star frontman Dušan Vlahović being hauled off during the club’s clash with Napoli.
Juve, of course, marked their return to action a short time ago. In the knowledge that a victory would see them leapfrog Inter Milan back to the top of the Serie A table, the Bianconeri welcomed reigning Scudetto holders Napoli to the Allianz Stadium.
And, when all was said and done, march on to another three points is precisely what the evening’s hosts managed.
A solitary goal, netted by Federico Gatti early in the 2nd-half, proved enough to separate the two heavyweights of Italian football come the full-time whistle.
On an otherwise positive night’s work for Juve, however, one source of concern was also forthcoming, on the personnel front.
20 minutes from time, after a heavy challenge in the Napoli penalty area, Dušan Vlahović was left grounded, and in evident discomfort.
The Serbian international quickly signalled to the sideline that he was in no condition to continue, with the Juve medical team having in turn escorted him from the field of play.
Speaking to the media post-match, the aforementioned Max Allegri was therefore drawn on Vlahović’s condition, and whether he could be facing up to a spell on the sidelines.
The Italian, though, quelled any such fears, in revealing that the 23-year-old was in fact suffering with little more than cramp.
As per CalcioNapoli1926, Allegri explained:
“Vlahovic had some cramp. He applied pressure [on Napoli’s defenders] and if an attacker doesn’t, it makes everything more difficult.”
Conor Laird | GIFN
