Manuel Locatelli scores against AS Roma (Photo by Domenico Cippitelli/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
As Juventus continued their quest for a top four finish with a tough away game against AS Roma, skipper Manuel Locatelli stepped up to help earn his side an important point, simultaneously delivering a reminder of quality in midfield.
The Bianconeri knew it would be a tall task, their opponents having won each of their previous seven games and having kept three consecutive clean sheets prior to Sunday’s encounter at the Stadio Olimpico.
Juve made an extremely aggressive start, playing high up the pitch and taking the game to the Giallorossi, but failing to find an early breakthrough. Then, with half time approaching, Roma headed a Pierre Kalulu cross away to the edge of the area and hoped the danger had passed.
However, Locatelli met the ball with ferocity, unleashing a powerful volley that goalkeeper Mile Svilar had absolutely no chance of stopping. Wheeling away in celebration, the 27-year-old pointed repeatedly at the Juve badge on his shirt before being mobbed by his delighted team-mates.
Manuel Locatelli now Juventus Captain
Seeing him shine in another big Serie A clash stands in stark contrast to the way Locatelli was in and out of the lineup under Thiago Motta. But the coaching change Juve made last month – discussed at length in this previous column – instantly pushed the him into a more prominent role.
“Everyone has to take responsibility, but having a role model is fundamental,” Igor Tudor said at his first press conference after being announced as Motta’s successor. “That’s why the new captain will be Locatelli.
“I know him as a serious guy, with the right values and a great sense of belonging. I believe he has the qualities to be a captain worthy of this team.”
Locatelli key for Tudor’s Juventus
The player has quickly responded to that responsibility, turning in impressive performances in each of the first two games of the Tudor era after being named in the starting XI of both outings.
Furthermore, the new boss has chosen to pair Locatelli with Khéphren Thuram at the heart of his 3-4-2-1 formation and their presence is giving Juve a solid platform to build attacks as well as a dynamic pair of pressing midfielders when the ball is lost.
Playing all 90+ minutes of the win over Genoa, statistics from WhoScored.com show that Locatelli registered 4 tackles, 2 interceptions and completed 71 passes. The same source shows that he had 3 tackles, 1 interception and 3 clearances against Roma but, despite being substituted after 71 minutes, he was even more influential in possession.
Besides his well-struck goal, Locatelli connected with 79 passes thanks to an 89.9% completion rate and Juve’s rapid attacking style constantly flowed through their impressive no.5.
Roma would pull a goal back just after half time but, even though Juve dominated the closing stages, they were unable to find the winning goal that their effort and quality probably deserved.
“When the coach arrived, he immediately asked us to be more aggressive,” Locatelli told DAZN shortly after the final whistle. “He told us to believe in ourselves, because we are capable of performances like this.
“Roma also deserve credit for fighting back,” he continued. “We were tired as the second half went on, but by playing like this, we can achieve some good things.”
That is undoubtedly true, and nobody was more responsible for that than the new Captain. With performances like this, he has to be in the thoughts of Italy Coach Luciano Spalletti, who has only given him four caps since taking over the national team back in August 2023.
Omitted from the squad that took part in UEFA Euro 2023 and last month’s Nations League Quarter Final against Germany, he is currently in the kind of form that will make it impossible for Spalletti to continue overlooking him.
Manuel Locatelli is the Juventus Captain and, as he showed against AS Roma, he is thriving as a player and a leader.
