Vlahovic Injury Setback for Juventus

Juventus have been dealt a major setback in their push for a Champions League place, with Dusan Vlahovic facing a fresh spell on the sidelines after suffering a calf injury.

The 26-year-old striker had only recently returned in mid-March from a lay-off that had kept him out since December. His comeback looked to be gathering rhythm, capped by Monday’s 2-0 Serie A win over Genoa. Then it unraveled in the warm-up for the second half.

"During the warm-up held in the second half of the match against Genoa, Dusan Vlahovic felt an issue in his left calf," the club announced. Juventus confirmed he underwent diagnostic tests on Tuesday morning, with scans showing “low-grade damage.”

Italian media report that Vlahovic is expected to be out for at least three weeks, a timeline that would rule him out of a crucial stretch in the run-in.

The timing could hardly be worse. Juventus sit fifth in Serie A, one point behind Como, who currently occupy the final Champions League spot, with just seven games remaining. Every goal, every run, every option in the final third now carries extra weight.

Vlahovic’s absence strips Juve of their focal point in attack at a moment when margins are razor-thin. The club may downplay the severity by describing the damage as low grade, but with the season entering its decisive phase, even three weeks feel like an eternity.