Locatelli ‘angry’ at yellow card for diving and insists Juventus need ‘nastiness’

By Samira Vishwas On May 6, 2026

Juventus captain Manuel Locatelli says that he is ‘angry’ at the yellow card he received for simulation over the weekend, and says that Juventus need more ‘nastiness’ and to be more clinical in front of goal if they are to return to the Champions League next season.

Locatelli on Juventus 1-1 Verona, call for ruthlessness and yellow card for diving

Juventus remain locked in a battle with Roma and Como for a spot in next season’s 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.

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.

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’s control. He urges his teammates to be more ruthless heading into the final stretch, though.

“I think we lack a bit of competitive nastiness in certain moments,” Locatelli told reporters at the launch event of Juve’s Strength of Stories podcast series.

TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 16: Manuel Locatelli and Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus celebrates after Lloyd Kelly (not pictured) scores his team’s fourth goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Juventus and Borussia Dortmund at Juventus Stadium on September 16, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

“We 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.

The Bianconeri skipper insists that he is not distracted by the ‘pressure’ that some suggest is burdening the players heading into the final few matches of the season.

“As I’ve always said, it’s a familiar concept in football, we’re 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’re trying, but we lack that wickedness.”

Locatelli does not deny the fact that Juve were not at their best during their 1-1 draw with Verona, though: “As I’ve said, it still depends on us. We can’t be happy with the game we played against Verona.”

TURIN, ITALY - APRIL 19: Manuel Locatelli of Juventus applauds the fans following his side's victory in the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Bologna FC 1909 at Allianz Stadium on April 19, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images) — TURIN, ITALY – APRIL 19: Manuel Locatelli of Juventus applauds the fans following his side’s victory in the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Bologna FC 1909 at Allianz Stadium on April 19, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Locatelli also took a moment to criticise the decision to show him a yellow card for simulation during the Verona draw.

When asked how frustrated he was, he replied: “Very. I got angry. I don’t usually talk about referees, I don’t like that, but he can’t give me a yellow there. I was nervous, which is why I made a mistake, but I don’t dive. You can’t dive with VAR, there’s no point in giving me the yellow card.”