The Montenegro international joined Sassuolo during the summer after Juventus decided that regular first-team football would be the best next step in his development. The move was designed to give the attacking midfielder the consistency and experience he was unlikely to receive in Turin.
So far, that decision has worked well. Adzic has made an impact for Sassuolo and has also continued to make his mark with Montenegro, strengthening the belief at Juventus that the loan can accelerate his progress.
Juventus are monitoring his performances closely and have not abandoned the idea of making him part of their plans again. The intention is to assess the player over the course of the season before deciding how he fits into the squad for the following campaign.
The club’s thinking is helped by the purpose of the original loan. Adzic was sent to Sassuolo to play regularly, develop his game and gain experience rather than because Juventus had decided that his long-term future lay elsewhere.
That distinction is important. There is still a long way to go before the season ends, and Juventus will want to see whether his current level can be maintained across a full campaign.
The midfielder now has several months in which to strengthen his case. Continued performances and goals would give Juventus further evidence that he is ready to take on a larger role when he returns to Turin.
His situation also means Juventus are not currently looking to make a definitive decision about his future. The club can allow the loan to run its course before evaluating the progress he has made in Emilia-Romagna.
For Adzic, the objective is therefore straightforward: use his time at Sassuolo to demonstrate that the step up to Juventus can be made successfully. If he continues at his current level, the doors to the first team in Turin could reopen next summer.