Juventus manager Igor Tudor welcomed Dusan Vlahovic and the rest of his team after a Nervy 2-0 win over Udinese on Sunday that could be crucial in the race for a Champions League place.
Nico Gonzalez brought the hosts to Vooruit just after the hour, but the game was still in the balance when Vlahovic was introduced in the 73rd minute.
The 25-year-old, who arrives in the last year of his contract and is linked to a relocation of the club this summer, immediately lifted Juve and made the game safe with their second goal two minutes in time.
“Vlahovic had a big impact, played with heart and proved his value,” said Croatian Tudor, whose contract runs until the end of the season.
“He sacrificed for the team and played a good game.”
Juventus is fourth in the Serie A at 67 points, one point for Roma and two for Lazio, with one more game in the season.
Tudor, who took over from Thiago Motta in March and lost only one of his eight games, said that his party had delivered a team performance against strong opposition.
“It was not about motivation, but about the playing style, set pieces, preventive markings and trying to spend the pressure that the team felt,” he said reporters.
“It was a serious achievement, there was no player I didn't like. It was really a great game. Udinese is a serious and well -trained team.”
Juve visits relegation Battleers Venezia on Sunday, while Roma travels to mid-table Torino.