Vlahovic and Nico Gonzalez: ‘Juventus confidence is building’ | OneFootball

Dusan Vlahovic and Nico Gonzalez hope the 4-0 Coppa Italia win over Cagliari can ‘give us confidence’ going forward and help smooth over the tension with fans.

It was a festive mood at the Allianz Juventus Stadium this evening, very different to the angry atmosphere that followed their 2-2 draw with last-placed Venezia.

That was their fourth consecutive Serie A stalemate, but in the Coppa Italia they swept through to the quarter-finals with a 4-0 victory over Cagliari.

They were all excellent goals with top quality skills on show from Vlahovic, Teun Koopmeiners, Francisco Conceicao and Nico Gonzalez.

“We are happy with the victory and so many fans came here tonight, supporting us from the first to the last minute,” said Vlahovic on Canale 5.

The tension of that row with some ultras in the stands was already calmed before kick-off, with them chanting his name during the warm-up and his wave in recognition, not to mention the banner outside the arena.

“I am very pleased, because this is one of the biggest clubs in Europe with 60 million fans. I am sorry, as I said, over what happened on Saturday, but we must continue together, united, which is the most important thing.”

Can the Juventus team seen tonight hope to bridge the gap in Serie A with Atalanta, Inter and Napoli?

“Of course every victory gives us confidence, but we’ve got to take it one game at a time.”

Vlahovic and Nico Gonzalez see Juventus path forward

TURIN, ITALY – DECEMBER 17: Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Coppa Italia match between Juventus FC and Cagliari Calcio at Allianz Stadium on December 17, 2024 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Nico Gonzalez was out of action for two months, so scoring with a run from his own half and remarkable lob from the edge of the area mid-sprint is a sign he is truly back.

“A positive result is important, I think what we showed today is the path we want to continue. I am very happy,” said Nico Gonzalez.

“The first thing I had to focus on was getting fit, helping the team and keeping a smile on my face. I want to bring that joy and for everyone here to be joyful.”

Juventus will face Empoli in the Coppa Italia quarter-final, as they continue the defence of the trophy won last season by Max Allegri.