Chiellini: Serious Vlahovic injury an ‘opportunity’ for David, Spalletti ‘on a mission’

Juventus director Giorgio Chiellini regrets Dusan Vlahovic’s ‘serious’ injury, but hopes it will give an ‘opportunity’ to Jonathan David, while coach Luciano Spalletti is a ‘man on a mission’ and ‘lives for Juve.’

Chiellini spoke about Juventus’ recent results and performances during an event in Rome on Wednesday.

“Juventus’ history is made up of great winning cycles and counter-cycles. Unfortunately, we are now in one of those counter-cycles in which we haven’t managed to win for a while,” said the ex-defender, via Tuttosport.

“We hope to get back to winning as soon as possible. This year will certainly be difficult, which doesn’t mean we won’t try in every possible way. Our ambition must be to reach the highest level. You also need balance in judgments, expectations and pressures. Everyone is willing to do well.

“The world has changed, and with it, football. The Juventus of 10, 20, or even 30 years ago, capable of dominating world football, being on Real Madrid’s level and making major investments, no longer exists,” Chiellini continued.

“We have to accept, however reluctantly, that Italian football has changed and comparisons with the past and those values can’t be made anymore.

“We need to restart from those values and from your support, and soon the team will return to winning trophies.”

Summer signing David has only scored two goals this season and has rarely been a starter, but a recent injury to Vlahovic, who will undergo surgery in London today, might give more opportunities to the Canada international.

“It’s very difficult for players coming to Juventus from within Italy and even more difficult for those arriving from abroad,” acknowledged Chiellini.

“Very few players have managed to adapt in a very short time and make a difference. Vlahovic’s injury is serious, and we’re very sorry. Every injury, in some way, gives an opportunity to those who have played less. In this case, we hope it will give David the chance to have more playing time and less pressure, more freedom to handle a demanding match, and to send a strong signal, as he already showed with the beautiful goal he scored last night.

“There will certainly be difficult moments, but the team is doing well, and the last match gave all of us a bit more certainty and confidence.”

Juventus are still unbeaten under Spalletti this season and have won the last three games across all competitions.

This coming weekend, they’ll visit Spalletti’s ex-club Napoli at the Stadio Maradona.

“Luciano’s career speaks for itself. I was never lucky enough to be coached by him. We built a good relationship after I had retired, when I went to visit the national team players,” Chiellini concluded.

“At Juventus, he’s working very well on the details; he pays great attention to every training session, and he’s rediscovering players who previously had little space. He’s a man on a mission, he lives for Juve, he lives at the training centre, just as he did in the past at Napoli. He’s giving everything as are all the others, to try to change this course. On Sunday, there’s Napoli. I don’t know how he’ll be received, but for us, it’s an important and difficult match, as they all are.”

Chiellini won nine Serie A titles at Juventus as a footballer and has been serving as the Bianconeri’s Director of Football Strategy since last summer.