Juventus Edge Past Cagliari with Vlahovic's Decisive Goal to Strengthen Top-Four Position

Juventus secured a vital 1-0 victory over Cagliari on February 23, 2025, at the Unipol Domus stadium, bolstering their position in Serie A's top four. The decisive goal came in the 12th minute when Dusan Vlahovic capitalized on a defensive error, skillfully evading goalkeeper Elia Caprile to score from a tight angle. 

This win marks Juventus' fourth consecutive league triumph, elevating their point tally to 49—five points behind third-placed Atalanta and eight adrift of leaders Inter Milan. Despite several opportunities to extend their lead, including notable chances from Vlahovic and Kenan Yıldız, Juventus were unable to increase the margin, largely due to Caprile's commendable performance in goal. 

Manager Thiago Motta expressed concerns post-match about the team's missed opportunities, emphasizing the need for greater consistency in front of goal. He also highlighted the balanced nature of the league, noting that even top teams have faced challenges recently. 

The match also saw the return of Vlahovic to the starting lineup for the first time in 2025, bringing his season tally to nine league goals and 14 across all competitions. However, the victory was tempered by an injury to Douglas Luiz, who was forced off the pitch shortly after being introduced as a substitute, adding to Juventus' growing injury concerns. 

Cagliari, currently 15th in the league with 25 points, displayed resilience, especially in the second half, but were unable to break through Juventus' defense. The loss leaves them precariously positioned, just four points above the relegation zone. 

With 12 matches remaining in the season, Juventus will aim to maintain their momentum and close the gap on the league leaders, focusing on converting their chances and managing player fitness in the crucial weeks ahead.