Juventus manager Allegri not concerned by Vlahovic absence

• Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic has been sidelined by an injury
• Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri has insisted he is not worried by Vlahovic’s absence
• Allegri hinted that the striker has returned to training with the first team on Friday

Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri is not worried about the absence of Dusan Vlahovic and revealed the striker was back running in training on Friday.

Vlahovic has been struggling with a groin injury as Juve prepares to resume the Serie A season against Cremonese next Wednesday following a break for the World Cup.

The Serbia international scored in his only World Cup start in Qatar, finding the back of the net in a 3-2 defeat to Switzerland.

Vlahovic is the Bianconeri’s leading scorer this season with seven goals and head coach Allegri is not concerned over his injury issues.

Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri at a past pre-match press conference. | PHOTO: Juventus FC |

He said after a 1-1 friendly draw with Standard Liege on Friday: “No. I’m never worried, think what philosophy of life I have. I see all things as an opportunity.

“If we had had [Paul] Pogba and all the great players we have, perhaps [Fabio] Miretti, [Nicolo] Fagioli would not have played.

“They are all good to say: ‘Don’t let young players play’. Young players, unless they are extraordinary players, play if certain situations arise.”

Pogba is working his way back to full fitness after missing the World Cup due to a knee injury.

The 29-year-old is waiting on his first appearance of the season after rejoining the Turin giants following his Manchester United exit.

Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic in action at a past match for Juve. | PHOTO: Fan Cast |

Allegri said of the France midfielder: “Pogba has been running for four to five days, he’s been doing work and his knee is responding well.

“Then there’s [Mattia] De Sciglio who’s working, [Juan] Cuadrado ran and his knee doesn’t bother him, [Leonardo] Bonucci’s inflammation is slowly improving. We need to be confident and concentrate on what we have.”

Allegri was also able to provide an encouraging update on Federico Chiesa’s fitness, too.

“Today he had personalised and therefore differentiated work planned, yesterday he was part of the team and I saw him very well, even too much and I stopped him,” he said of the Italy forward.