A lot of controversy has arisen in the public in recent days regarding Dušan Vlahović, with some harsh words coming from certain Juventus supporters. However, it was evidently a case of isolated incidents. This was confirmed by the most passionate Bianconeri fans, who displayed a banner in front of the stadium before the Coppa Italia Round of 16 match against Cagliari, which read: “An isolated act does not change the past; you have always had our respect. Vlahović and the ultras together until the end!” The words of support clearly gave an additional boost to the once Arsenal target, who responded with a goal and was one of the standout performers in Thiago Motta’s team’s convincing victory – 4-0 (1-0).GOAL | Juventus 1-0 Cagliari | Vlahovic pic.twitter.com/jXFk3XKTdE— Pau Cubarsí (@PauCubarsiFCB) December 17, 2024 Dušan’s goal in the 44th minute, after an assist from Kenan Yildiz, seemed to lift the weight off Juventus players’ shoulders. The ‘Old Lady‘ was visibly under pressure from the start of the match, as they had no room for error. However, the opening goal brought relief, and the second half saw a true offensive onslaught, securing a dominant passage into the top eight of the competition. Other three goals were all great ones, but Koopmeiners‘ was the most stunning one, at the beginning of the second half, from 25 meters. Vlahovic had the ball in the net twice more for Juve as they pressed forward in search of a third, but was on both occasions denied by the assistant’s flag for offside. Conceicao eventually made it three on 80 minutes with a whipped finish after cutting in from the right flank and Gonzalez chipped home a fourth with one minute remaining. Juve join Lazio, Empoli, Bologna and AC Milan in the next stage of the cup. Serie A leaders Atalanta are in action on Wednesday against Cesena, while Roma take on Sampdoria. Reigning Scudetto champions Inter Milan complete the round of 16 when they host Udinese on Thursday.GOAL | Juventus 4-0 Cagliari | Nico Gonzalez pic.twitter.com/nRw4JD8nyH— Pau Cubarsí (@PauCubarsiFCB) December 17, 2024 Coppa Italia Round of 16TuesdayJuventus – Cagliari 4-0 (1-0)/Vlahovic 44, Koopmeiners 53, Conceicao 80, Gonzalez 89/Wednesday20:30 (1.25) Atalanta (6.50) Cesena (10.50)23:00 (1.37) Roma (4.80) U.C Sampdoria (9.00)Thursday23:00 (1.35) Inter (5.00) Udinese (9.00)***odds are subject to change***
