Darko Kovacevic: Juventus Should Have Kept Dusan Vlahovic
Former Juventus striker Darko Kovacevic believes the club made a mistake by letting Dusan Vlahovic leave Turin, arguing that the Serbian forward could have provided the natural centre-forward presence Juventus are missing. In comments to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Kovacevic reflected on Vlahovic’s connection with the club and the demands placed on a modern No. 9.
Kovacevic knows what it means to lead Juventus’ attack. The Serbian made 71 appearances for the Bianconeri between 1999 and 2001, scoring 26 goals. His time in Turin gave him a close view of the club’s expectations: Juventus forwards are judged not only by their finishing, but also by their ability to handle pressure, contribute to the team and deliver in decisive moments.
Vlahovic’s Juventus connection remains a talking point
Speaking about Vlahovic, Kovacevic pointed to the striker’s long-standing affection for black-and-white colours. He noted that Vlahovic had represented Partizan, Juventus and Besiktas, while Fiorentina was the notable exception in his career because of its different kit colours. For Kovacevic, that detail reflects more than a preference for a particular shirt: it suggests a personal connection to some of the clubs the striker has represented.
“Vlahovic is attached to Juve,” Kovacevic said, suggesting that the Serbian could one day look back on his departure with regret. The former striker’s comments are an opinion, not a prediction of Vlahovic’s future plans, but they underline how strongly his Juventus spell continues to shape discussion around the club’s attack.
Vlahovic arrived in Turin with the profile of a classic centre-forward: physically powerful, comfortable attacking the penalty area and capable of finishing with either foot. Those qualities made him an important option for Juventus, particularly in matches where the team needed a reliable target through the middle. Yet a striker’s value is not measured only by goals. His movement can create space for teammates, his presence can pin back defenders, and his ability to hold up the ball can help a side move up the pitch.
Why Kovacevic believes Juventus needed a genuine No. 9
Kovacevic’s central point is that Juventus lacked a natural No. 9 of Vlahovic’s type. He said Luciano Spalletti was missing a genuine centre-forward “like Dusan” and argued that the striker should have been kept in Turin. The observation highlights a familiar tactical issue: a team may have talented attacking players, but still struggle if its squad does not include a forward suited to leading the line.
A traditional No. 9 gives an attack a clear focal point. That player can occupy central defenders, attack crosses, contest long passes and turn half-chances into goals. When the role is not filled naturally, coaches may need to adapt their formation or ask wide forwards and attacking midfielders to share responsibilities. Such flexibility can be useful, but it does not always replace the direct threat of a specialist striker.
For Juventus, the question is therefore not simply whether Vlahovic was a good player. It is whether his particular skill set matched the team’s needs and whether the club had a comparable replacement available. Kovacevic’s comments suggest that, in his view, the answer to the second question was no. A forward who can stretch a defence and provide a dependable presence inside the box can influence the entire shape of a team, even on days when he does not score.
What Vlahovic’s departure means for Juventus
When a high-profile striker leaves, the impact can extend beyond the goals column. Juventus must consider how to replace his runs, physical presence and ability to give teammates a forward passing option. If the new attacking structure relies on several players sharing the scoring burden, it may offer unpredictability—but it also requires time, coordination and consistent service.
That is why Kovacevic’s assessment is relevant to supporters following Juventus’ season. The club’s attacking output depends on more than individual finishing. It also relies on the quality of chances created, the timing of runs into the box and the connection between midfield and attack. A recognised centre-forward can simplify those patterns by giving teammates a clear target, while also forcing opponents to devote extra attention to the penalty area.
There is, of course, another side to the debate. Clubs make decisions about players based on a range of factors, including finances, contract circumstances, tactical direction and the player’s own ambitions. A departure does not automatically mean a player was mishandled, just as keeping a striker does not guarantee success. The challenge for Juventus is to ensure that the squad’s overall attacking design fits the players available.
A former striker’s perspective on a familiar Juventus challenge
Kovacevic’s comments carry the perspective of someone who experienced the demands of wearing the Juventus shirt. His 26 goals in 71 appearances offered a glimpse of the contribution expected from a forward in Turin: efficiency, commitment and the ability to make an impact in a team competing under intense scrutiny. His view that Vlahovic should have stayed is therefore part of a wider conversation about how Juventus build an attack capable of challenging consistently.
For supporters, the debate also raises a practical question: what should Juventus prioritise when assessing their next forward? Goals remain essential, but so do availability, link-up play, movement and suitability for the coach’s system. A successful signing must fit the tactical plan as well as the club’s long-term ambitions.
Kovacevic has made his position clear: Juventus needed a genuine No. 9, and Vlahovic could have filled that role. Whether the club ultimately proves him right will depend on how its current attack develops and whether it can produce the consistency expected of a side with Juventus’ history. For now, the former striker’s prediction that Vlahovic may regret leaving remains a pointed reminder of how highly he values the Serbian forward’s connection to Turin—and of the importance of finding the right focal point in football.
