Manuel Locatelli highlighted how the Juventus team came together after their 15-point deduction and commented on his growing leadership role in the team.
The Bianconeri were sanctioned by the FIGC court last month over alleged falsified capital gains. The club received the points deduction and various current and former directors, including former chairman Andrea Agnelli, received bans of varying lengths.
Juventus are still under investigation by the Turin prosecutor’s office, whose “Prisma investigation” could see the club sentenced to a new sanction.
Speaking to DAZN, Locatelli first explained how the team should bounce back and start climbing the ladder.
“We have to start with a positive attitude. The coach always tells us that if you start with a positive attitude, the qualities come out.
“With Atalanta and Lazio we had a good game, we have to start from there. We all have qualities and if we give the best of ourselves, we bring them out.
He commented on the speech he gave to his teammates ahead of Juventus’ clash with Salernitana.
“Danilo told me that I should talk to the team in the pre-match circle that we form on the pitch. I felt like it and just said what we have to do. It’s a moment when we must score as many points as possible without looking at anything else because it is not our business and we cannot solve it.
“Our goal is just to score points and progress in other competitions. I said the one thing we couldn’t miss was the attitude and in the end it all went well.
The Italian midfielder spoke about his growing leadership role in Turin.
“The coach’s words are good, it’s clear that to become an important player you have to have an important season, not just one period.
“A strong player can be seen throughout the season. Being consistent in performance is my priority and my goal. I’m happy with what we’re doing, I feel good.
Locatelli told how the Juventus team reacted when they heard about the 15-point penalty.
“These are things that affect us, we talked about it between us. As soon as the sentence came out, we wrote to each other on our group chat and the next day we talked about it.
“We have come to a conclusion: there is no point in thinking whether they can give us back the 15 points or not, the club said they will take care of it and we only have to think about scoring points in the field.
“To see us there in the painting is certainly not pleasant, but it is reality. Now the goal is one, to continue. On social networks we have published photos of the Juve the day after the judgment because in difficult times, men come out.
“Now we are even more united, but now we have to put the club first and give everything for this shirt.”
He commented on the importance of the Europa League.
“It is an important objective that we have. Going forward in all competitions, the games become great. You are playing in a European competition, so it is a goal that we have set ourselves.
The former Sassuolo midfielder has spoken about the growth of youngsters Fabio Miretti and Nicolo Fagioli.
“Good. I’ve been there myself: when you’re young it’s not easy to keep a mental balance because sometimes you have great games, sometimes less.
“You have to be good to find the balance in that. A club like Juve and coach Allegri manage to defend them well. They are two guys who listen and want to wear the Juve shirt.
He reflects on the painful loss of Napoli.
“I would like not to take back the blow I received from Osimhen, who messaged me the next day. I appreciated that.
“It was an important moment. We had a bad game, it was a very dark moment. Now we are looking forward to it. I wanted to leave after the fight because I was not together.
Finally, Locatelli spoke about his dreams as a man and as a footballer.
“Winning the Champions League and the World Cup, but also fulfilling myself as a father and as a family.
“We are looking forward to the birth of our son, I think it is the most beautiful moment for a family. The path that my wife and I have taken is a beautiful thing.
“He will be born in March, but I have no worries. I’m living it well. I’ve also just become an uncle, my sister is happy. I won’t say the name.
