Motta To Decide On Vlahovic's Starting Position For Juventus' Match Against Benfica

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Dusan Vlahovic is set to be available for Juventus in their upcoming Champions League match against Benfica. Head coach Thiago Motta has not yet decided if Vlahovic will start. The striker, who was benched due to fitness concerns, made a late appearance in Juventus' 2-1 defeat to Napoli. He is now ready to play on Wednesday if required.

Motta shared his thoughts during a pre-match press conference, stating, "Dusan is fine and tomorrow he is part of the group. We will see if he will play from the start or during the match. As a team we have our way of playing; we want to cause problems for the opponent with quality." Vlahovic has been a key player, scoring four goals in the Champions League so far.

Andrea Cambiaso, who played against Napoli, will miss the Benfica game due to an ankle issue. Motta explained that Cambiaso's ankle problem has resurfaced, and he needs time to recover fully. "He still has some problems with his ankle and at the moment he does not feel 100%. He preferred to take some time to heal everything," Motta said.

Midfielder Douglas Luiz is expected to be available for selection after dealing with injuries since October. Motta confirmed Luiz's readiness for Wednesday's match, highlighting his deserving return to the squad.

Juventus have struggled recently in the Champions League, securing only one win in their last five matches. They currently sit 17th in the standings but are guaranteed at least a play-off spot. Motta emphasised the importance of consistent effort: "Our need is to always win. To get to victories you need a lot of daily work."

The team faces a challenging history against Benfica, having lost six out of eight encounters in European competitions. Only Real Madrid has defeated them more times in such tournaments.

The Serbian international Vlahovic has been linked with potential January transfers to Chelsea or Arsenal according to Italian media reports. Despite these rumours, he remains focused on contributing to Juventus' success this season.