Vlahovic’s Double Lifts Juventus to Top of Serie A
Rome – Juventus claimed a resounding 3-0 victory over Lecce on Sunday, propelling themselves to the top of Serie A and concluding a weekend overshadowed by racist abuse towards AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan in Udine.
With league leaders Inter Milan preparing for their Italian Super Cup final against Napoli in Saudi Arabia, Juventus capitalized on their home advantage, with Dusan Vlahovic playing a pivotal role in their triumph.
During the second half in Lecce, Juventus found the net three times, securing coach Max Allegri his 300th Serie A victory. This triumph extended their unbeaten league run to 16 matches, marking their fifth consecutive win and placing them at the summit of the table for the first time since their title-winning campaign in 2019-20.
Vlahovic broke the deadlock after 59 minutes with a somewhat awkward volley that found the back of the net. Nine minutes later, Weston McKennie’s header was already crossing the line when Vlahovic made contact with the ball, resulting in the striker being credited with the goal.
Vlahovic’s impressive form continued, as he scored a brace against Sassuolo just days before this match. The victory was sealed by Gleison Bremer, who secured the win with a powerful header five minutes from time.
Reflecting on the game, Vlahovic expressed the importance of patience against a formidable Lecce side that excels at home. He also acknowledged his improved physical condition compared to last season, emphasizing the need to maintain their current momentum.
Juventus will face Inter Milan, who are just one point behind them, on February 4th.
Meanwhile, AC Milan, trailing by seven points in third place, showcased their resilience by coming from behind to secure a 3-2 victory against Udinese on Saturday. However, the match was temporarily halted due to racist abuse aimed at goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
Maignan revealed that he first heard monkey chants when collecting the ball for his first goal kick, initially choosing to ignore them. However, when the chants continued during his second goal kick, he called over the officials to report the incident. Referee Fabio Maresca subsequently halted play for five minutes.
In response to the incident, Maignan expressed his frustration, stating that it is easy for spectators to act anonymously from the stands. He condemned the fans who remained silent despite witnessing and hearing the abuse, holding them accountable.
The Italian Football Federation is set to decide on Tuesday what punishment will be imposed on Udinese for the incident. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has called for worldwide stadium bans for fans and “automatic forfeits” for teams whose supporters engage in “abhorrent” abuse, following these recent incidents.
In conclusion, Dusan Vlahovic’s outstanding performance propelled Juventus to the top of Serie A, while the issue of racism in Italian football once again took center stage. The incidents in Udine serve as a reminder of the ongoing battle against discrimination and the need for stricter penalties to eradicate such behavior from the sport.
