The Bianconeri had a mixed week, beating rivals Inter to go into fourth place and then crashing out of the Champions League play-offs to PSV Eindhoven in extra time. Renato Veiga and Niccolò Savona sustained injuries in that game, joining Pierre Kalulu, Gleison Bremer and Juan Cabal on the absentee list, while Douglas Luiz returned to the bench. Lloyd Kelly therefore moved into central defence. The Sardinians drew 1-1 in Turin, then lost 4-0 in the Coppa Italia meeting in December.
See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.
Vlahovic made an immediate impact, pouncing ahead of Yerry Mina on the wayward Michel Adopo back-pass and sprinting around Elia Caprile to deposit into an empty net from the tightest of angles.
Kenan Yildiz controlled a long Michele Di Gregorio clearance to run clear on goal, denied as Caprile rushed off his line and made himself big.
The Cagliari goalkeeper also used his body to parry from Francisco Conceicao at the near post on a deflected Vlahovic lay-off, then stuck out a leg to deny Kenan Yildiz on the counter-attack.
Nadir Zortea fired straight at Di Gregorio from the edge of the area, as did Adopo’s header on a Gabriele Zappa cross.
Zito Luvumbo came on for the second half and caused constant problems down the left flank, repeatedly getting away from Tim Weah for crosses and pull-backs.
Andrea Cambiaso hobbled off with a muscular issue and Cagliari started to pour forward, but Vlahovic ran onto a long ball from inside his own half and was denied by Caprile, claiming he’d been pushed in the back by Sebastiano Luperto.
Douglas Luiz had only come on as a substitute, limping off again nine minutes later after a knock.
Cagliari continued to push forward, Florinel Coman blasting just wide of the near post and Zappa firing past the far bottom corner.
Juve also threatened on the counter with Randal Kolo Muani pulling back from the by-line for Kenan Yildiz to test Caprile at the near post.
Kolo Muani again rolled across from the right for Vlahovic, denied by a crucial Zappa interception.
Cagliari: Caprile 6.5; Zappa 5.5, Mina 4.5, Luperto 6, Augello 6; Makoumbou 5.5 (86′ Pavoletti N/A), Adopo 5.5 (70′ Viola 6); Zortea 6 (70′ Marin 6), Deiola 5.5 (57′ Coman 6), Felici 5.5 (46′ Luvumbo 6); Piccoli 5.5. Coach: Nicola 6.
Best Cagliari player: Caprile 6.5 – Four saves and 1.03 goals prevented (via Sofascore).
Lowest Cagliari rating: Mina 4.5 – The most experienced player let Cagliari down in a decisive moment. Tricked by Vlahovic’s high press: the Colombian was outsprinted by the Serbian star, who gave Juventus the lead early in the first half. Finished the game as a centre-forward.
Cagliari coach: Nicola 6— His players put in a brave performance, paying a high price for an individual mistake even though Juventus arguably created the best chances.
Juventus: Di Gregorio 6; Weah 6.5, Gatti 6.5, Kelly 6.5, Cambiaso 6 (73′ Rouhi 6); Locatelli 6 (73′ Thuram 6), Koopmeiners 6.5 (62′ Douglas Luiz 6 (82′ Mbangula)); Conceiçao 5.5 (62′ Kolo Muani 6), McKennie 6, Yildiz 6.5; Vlahovic 7. Coach: Motta 6.
Best Juventus player: Vlahovic 7 – Started his first Serie A game in 2025 and scored after just 12 minutes. The Serbian had a couple of chances to kill off the game as well. That’s where he must improve.
Lowest Juventus rating: Conceiçao 5.5 – The Portuguese made just 42 touches and never created a numerical advantage down the right flank. Just one (failed) dribble attempt.
Juventus coach: Motta 6 – A positive first half from the Bianconeri, but they should have scored more than once. Bit of suffering after the break, but they managed to keep Cagliari players far from Di Gregorio’s goal. A crucial win in the race for the top four.
