Vasilije Adzic’s goal against Juventus on 13 September was more than a moment against his former club. For the Sassuolo midfielder, it joined two dates, two shirts and a career already shaped by an appetite for responsibility: exactly a year earlier, he had scored against Inter while wearing Juventus colours.
Adzic’s night against Juventus
The match had been in Adzic’s thoughts long before kick-off. He said he had waited keenly for the occasion, wanting to test himself against one of Italy’s biggest clubs and show what he could do. When he noticed the date, he connected it with his previous goal against Inter and began to feel that the evening might bring another defining moment.
His feelings did not settle after the final whistle. Adzic said the goal carried particular weight because he had spent two years at Juventus, even though his approach remains the same against every opponent: to give everything. He watched the goal repeatedly and barely slept, with the usual difficulty of resting after an evening game intensified by adrenaline and emotion.
- He received a large number of messages after the match.
- The notes from his family meant the most to him.
- He was also congratulated by Sassuolo team-mates and friends he retains at Juventus.
- Luciano Spalletti approached him before the game, after greeting Alberto Aquilani, and praised his start to the season.
Spalletti later said that Adzic needs regular football and could have significant opportunities ahead. The player welcomed the encouragement, but placed the emphasis on his current work in Emilia rather than on any return to Turin.
Sassuolo as the right place to play
At 20, Adzic believes continuity is the central requirement. He said Sassuolo have supplied the conditions he needed: trust from the club, the coach and the squad, plus a role in which he can develop through matches. He admitted he had hoped to play more at Juventus and felt he may have deserved further minutes after several good displays, but accepted that selection decisions were not his to make.
His move to Sassuolo was not an impulsive choice. The club had already sought him in January and maintained their interest into the summer. Sporting director Palmieri travelled to Turin to speak with him, then arranged a video call with Aquilani, who outlined both the project and the role envisioned for the Montenegro international.
That direct approach persuaded Adzic. He also sought advice from people who knew the club well:
- Manuel Locatelli, formerly of Sassuolo, described the environment as a strong setting for a young player’s growth.
- Tarik Muharemovic, a close friend and former Juventus room-mate during a month of first-team pre-season work, urged him to go because he would not regret it.
- Adzic said the faith shown around him has been vital at his age, making him feel like an important member of the group.
From Juventus lessons to Aquilani’s project
Adzic arrived at Juventus under Thiago Motta, who assessed him in training camp before keeping him with the senior squad. Under Igor Tudor, he featured more often, started matches and scored his first goal for the club. He regards both coaches as important to his progress.
At Sassuolo, he has been struck by Aquilani’s mentality and by the coach’s willingness to put faith in young players. Adzic said Aquilani wants his side to play with the ball and has demonstrated confidence in him from the outset. The midfielder views himself principally as a No. 10, while also capable of playing as an No. 8; in Aquilani’s view, as Adzic explained, courage is what ultimately defines a player’s role.
Within the dressing room, goalkeeper Murić and Nemanja Matic have become particularly close companions because they share a language. Adzic described Matic as a reference point and an older-brother figure, someone who offers constant advice on and off the pitch. Matic’s experience, including three Premier League titles and years at the highest level, gives those small details added value.
He also spoke with deep respect about Domenico Berardi, citing his more than 130 Serie A goals, his European Championship triumph and his long commitment to Sassuolo despite interest from elsewhere. For Adzic, Berardi is a player from whom there is only learning to be done.
The earlier milestones behind the next chapter
Adzic traces his senior journey back to 22 August 2022, when he was 16. Making his first appearance for Buducnost, he scored from 40 metres. It was, he said, the beginning of everything.
His attachment to football began even earlier, watching Lionel Messi as a child. His family supported him throughout, and one memory remains especially close: his Juventus debut against Lazio at the Stadium, with his parents in the stands. Their tears of happiness showed him that a childhood ambition had become real.
The goal against Juventus therefore stands within a longer story rather than apart from it. Sassuolo have offered Adzic the minutes, responsibility and belief he sought; the next task is to turn that confidence into the steady contribution his new club requires over the season.
SEO Title: Vasilije Adzic on Juventus Goal, Sassuolo Trust and His Career Path
SEO Description: Vasilije Adzic reflects on scoring against Juventus, his decision to join Sassuolo, Aquilani’s faith, and the milestones that shaped his rise.
