Dusan Vlahovic has suffered another untimely setback just as Juventus enter the sharp end of the season, with the striker facing at least three weeks out with a calf problem.
The 26-year-old only returned to action in mid-March after a lay-off that had kept him sidelined since December. His comeback had offered Juventus a much-needed focal point in attack and a jolt of optimism in their chase for a Champions League place.
That optimism took a hit on Monday night.
During the warm-up before the second half of Juve’s 2-0 Serie A win over Genoa, Vlahovic felt discomfort in his left calf. He did not finish the game and the club moved quickly the following morning.
“During the warm-up held in the second half of the match against Genoa, Dusan Vlahovic felt an issue in his left calf,” Juventus said in a statement. “As a result, this morning he underwent diagnostic tests. The examinations revealed low-grade damage.”
Italian media report that the injury will sideline him for at least three weeks, a spell that threatens to strip Juventus of their main reference in the box at a crucial moment in the run-in.
The timing could hardly be more awkward. Juventus sit fifth in Serie A, one point behind Como, who currently occupy the final Champions League spot, with seven games left to play. Every fixture now carries the weight of a mini-final. Every absence matters.
Vlahovic’s goals and presence have often masked Juventus’ attacking flaws. Now they must navigate a pivotal stretch without him, knowing that a three-week absence in April can define an entire season.
