Giuntoli: ‘Vlahovic controversy not important, Juventus do not need strikers’ | OneFootball

Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli shrugs off Dusan Vlahovic controversy as ‘of little importance’ and reiterates they do not need a new striker in January, but will go on the market for a defender.

It kicks off at San Siro at 17.00 GMT.

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There is an injury crisis for the Bianconeri, who are missing Vlahovic, Arkadiusz Milik, Nico Gonzalez, Douglas Luiz, Vasilije Adzic, Gleison Bremer and Juan Cabal.

Before the muscular problem, Vlahovic had caused controversy by commenting that he preferred playing for Serbia than Juventus, as with a striker alongside him, he felt less isolated. Did that irritate Juve?

“I prefer to judge action rather than words. He is sacrificing himself for the collective and is ever-present, so we’re happy with what he does. What he says is of little importance,” Giuntoli told DAZN.

Giuntoli keeps faith with Juventus squad

Juventus’s Dusan Vlahovic tries to score during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Udinese Calcio and Juventus FC, in Udine, Italy, 02 November 2024. EPA-EFE/Ettore Griffoni

This injury crisis leaves them with no strikers, so Teun Koopmeiners is the rather unexpected choice as False 9, with Weston McKennie also ready to switch places.

“So far this season, the coach has shown his ability to always find some solution. Naturally, there are a lot of absentees, but he will do well again today. I don’t even know who is playing as the centre-forward, so we’ll see.”

Does Giuntoli like the idea of a Juve without a centre-forward?

“I like the team and Thiago Motta. Koopmeiners has a lot of quality, knows how to shake off defenders, while McKennie has proved over the years he can time his runs forward very well.”

Considering these problems, will Giuntoli and Juventus go back onto the transfer window for a centre-forward in January?

“We are counting on getting Milik back, but we certainly need to do something in defence where we are missing two players long-term,” he replied.

“As things stand, the striker is not an issue, because Milik is getting over his fitness issues and he is very well-suited to the coach’s ideas.”