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<\/picture><\/div>\nTURIN, ITALY – MAY 03: Manuel Locatelli of Juventus FC in action against Kieron Tom Bowie of Hellas Verona FC during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Hellas Verona FC at Allianz Stadium on May 3, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Juventus captain Manuel Locatelli says that he is \u2018angry\u2019 at the yellow card he received for simulation over the weekend, and says that Juventus need more \u2018nastiness\u2019 and to be more clinical in front of goal if they are to return to the Champions League next season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Juventus remain locked in a battle with Roma and Como for a spot in next season\u2019s Champions League. The Bianconeri occupy fourth spot on 65 points, Roma trail by one point and Como trail by three heading into the final three matches of the 2025-26 season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The gap between Juventus and Roma narrowed over the weekend, following a 1-1 draw between the Bianconeri and Hellas Verona and a 4-0 victory for the Giallorossi against Fiorentina on Monday night.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Whilst there is only one point separating Juventus and Roma, Locatelli says there is comfort to be taken from the fact that the race is still in Juve\u2019s control. He urges his teammates to be more ruthless heading into the final stretch, though.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI think we lack a bit of competitive nastiness in certain moments,\u201d Locatelli <\/span>told<\/span> reporters at the launch event of Juve\u2019s Strength of Stories podcast series.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe have to try to score when games are still open. Being clinical in front of goal helps us. The coach told us, we need a pinch of extra nastiness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Bianconeri skipper insists that he is not distracted by the \u2018pressure\u2019 that some suggest is burdening the players heading into the final few matches of the season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAs I\u2019ve always said, it\u2019s a familiar concept in football, we\u2019re used to this sort of pressure. The important thing is that it all still depends on us. We have to play these next few games with maturity. We\u2019re trying, but we lack that wickedness.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Locatelli does not deny the fact that Juve were not at their best during their 1-1 draw with Verona, though: \u201cAs I\u2019ve said, it still depends on us. We can\u2019t be happy with the game we played against Verona.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Locatelli also took a moment to criticise the decision to show him a yellow card for simulation during the Verona draw.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n When asked how frustrated he was, he replied: \u201cVery. I got angry. I don\u2019t usually talk about referees, I don\u2019t like that, but he can\u2019t give me a yellow there. I was nervous, which is why I made a mistake, but I don\u2019t dive. You can\u2019t dive with VAR, there\u2019s no point in giving me the yellow card.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\nLocatelli on Juventus 1-1 Verona, call for ruthlessness and yellow card for diving<\/h2>\n
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