Manuel Locatelli believes Juventus should turn into extra ruthless if they’ll qualify for the Champions League and win trophies sooner or later.
The Bianconeri are on the right track to qualify for UEFA’s premier competitors, and their hopes have been boosted after Como misplaced to Sassuolo on Friday.
Though Juve won’t end with any silverware this season, Locatelli did give followers one thing to cheer about after extending his deal on the membership till 2030.
No participant has gained extra tackles than Locatelli’s 288 amongst Serie A gamers since his Juve debut, whereas solely Alessandro Bastoni (11,416) and Amir Rrahmani (11,237) have had extra profitable passes than the Italian worldwide’s 10,660.
Locatelli has gained only one trophy with Juve, the Coppa Italia in 2023-24, and he says Juve should enhance their high quality in essential moments to alter that.
“Sadly, we haven’t managed to win any trophies this 12 months, however our objective is to qualify for the Champions League, and the essential factor is that we now have a strong plan,” stated Locatelli forward of their conflict in opposition to Bologna.
“We have to hold successful as a result of that’s what everybody expects. The followers, the administration, and us too.
“There are specific essential moments, and you must know the right way to win sure matches, no matter the associated fee.
“Over time, we’ve definitely been missing one thing in these conditions, that ruthlessness that permits you to obtain the victories that finally result in trophies.”
From Day , to the newest contract in pic.twitter.com/iSwVol4F4o
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) April 18, 2026
Bologna are nonetheless within the hunt for the European locations, however a defeat to Juve may finish these hopes with six video games to go.
Vincenzo Italiano’s facet have gained 4 consecutive away league video games and have at all times scored not less than one objective of their final 14 away matches within the competitors.
Bologna may win not less than 5 consecutive away video games for under the second time of their Serie A historical past, after the run between December 1963 and January 1964 (the season of their historic Scudetto underneath Fulvio Bernardini).
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Juventus – Jeremie Boga
Jeremie Boga, who has scored 4 objectives in his final six Serie A appearances, has been instantly concerned in 4 objectives in opposition to Bologna within the top-flight (two objectives and two assists).
Solely in opposition to Hellas Verona has Boga been concerned in additional objectives within the competitors (six objectives, with three objectives and three assists).
Bologna – Federico Bernadeschi
Between 2017 and 2022, Federico Bernardeschi made 134 appearances, scoring eight objectives and offering 14 assists for Juventus in Serie A.
Towards the Bianconeri, he has solely registered one help within the competitors, which was in January 2017 for Fiorentina.
MATCH PREDICTION: JUVENTUS WIN
Juve are unbeaten of their final six Serie A matches, amassing 14 factors (W4 D2); solely Napoli (16) have earned extra factors within the competitors throughout this era – the Bianconeri have additionally saved 4 clear sheets on this run.
They’re additionally unbeaten of their final 13 dwelling Serie A matches in opposition to Bologna (W9 D4), however they’ve drawn three of the final 4 on the Allianz Stadium in opposition to them, together with the 2 most up-to-date.
Bologna haven’t gained a Serie A match in opposition to Juventus since February 2011 (2-0 on the Olimpico Grande Torino with a Marco Di Vaio brace), recording 9 attracts and 18 defeats in opposition to the Bianconeri since then.
Their run of 27 consecutive video games with out a win is already their longest ever in opposition to a single opponent within the competitors.
Luciano Spalletti has averaged 1.96 factors per recreation with Juventus, considerably greater than his predecessor Igor Tudor (1.50) on this Serie A season.
Since Spalletti took cost of the Bianconeri, solely Inter (57 factors) have earned extra factors than Juve (45 in 23 matches).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Juventus – 60.8%
Draw – 21.5%
Bologna – 17.7%
