Locatelli Calls for Juventus to Develop Ruthlessness in Champions League Pursuit

Manuel Locatelli has emphasized the need for Juventus to adopt a more ruthless approach if they aim to secure Champions League qualification and future trophies. The Bianconeri remain on track for a place in UEFA’s elite competition, with their prospects further strengthened by Como’s defeat to Sassuolo on Friday.

Despite a trophy-less season, Locatelli provided a boost to fans by extending his contract with Juventus until 2030. Since his debut for the club, no Serie A player has made more tackles than his 288, and only Alessandro Bastoni (11,416) and Amir Rrahmani (11,237) have completed more successful passes than his 10,660. Locatelli, who lifted the Coppa Italia with Juventus in 2023-24, stressed the team must elevate their performance in decisive moments to achieve greater success.

“Unfortunately, we haven’t won any trophies this year, but our objective is Champions League qualification, and the key is having a solid plan,” Locatelli said ahead of Juventus’s match against Bologna. “We must keep winning—that’s what everyone expects: the fans, the management, and us. There are critical moments where you have to know how to win matches at all costs. Over the years, we’ve lacked that ruthlessness needed to secure the victories that lead to trophies.”

Bologna, still contending for a European spot, face a must-win scenario against Juventus to keep their hopes alive with six games remaining. Vincenzo Italiano’s side has won four consecutive away league matches and scored in their last 14 away fixtures. A victory would mark only the second time in their Serie A history that Bologna has won five straight away games, matching a feat last achieved during their 1963-64 Scudetto-winning campaign.

**Players to Watch** **Juventus – Jeremie Boga**: The forward has scored four goals in his last six Serie A appearances and has been involved in four goals against Bologna (two goals, two assists). Only against Hellas Verona has he contributed to more goals in the competition (six).

**Bologna – Federico Bernardeschi**: The former Juventus player, who made 134 appearances for the Bianconeri between 2017 and 2022, has only managed one assist against his old club in Serie A, recorded during his time with Fiorentina in January 2017.

**Match Prediction: Juventus Win** Juventus are unbeaten in their last six Serie A matches, collecting 14 points (W4 D2), trailing only Napoli (16) in that span. They have also kept four clean sheets during this run. The Bianconeri have not lost to Bologna in their last 13 home league meetings (W9 D4), though three of the last four encounters at the Allianz Stadium have ended in draws.

Bologna’s winless streak against Juventus stretches back to February 2011, a run of 27 matches (D9 L18)—their longest without a victory against any opponent in Serie A history. Under Luciano Spalletti, Juventus have averaged 1.96 points per game, outperforming predecessor Igor Tudor’s 1.50. Since Spalletti’s arrival, only Inter (57 points) have earned more than Juventus (45 in 23 matches).

**Opta Win Probability** Juventus – 60.8% Draw – 21.5% Bologna – 17.7%