Manuel Locatelli is set to start on the bench as Juventus face Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu this evening in their third Champions League group match. IlBianconero report that the decision marks one of several tactical changes planned by Igor Tudor as he looks to react after the disappointing defeat in Como.
For this high-profile clash, Tudor is expected to revert to a three-man defence and refresh the midfield setup. Among the key adjustments, the Juventus captain appears to be one of those sacrificed in what many are calling a “mini revolution.”
Locatelli’s exclusion is far from insignificant. His defensive contribution and leadership have been fundamental under Tudor, yet during the final training sessions in Madrid, his name was absent from the starting lineup. Juventus are likely to play with a 3-5-2 formation, with a midfield trio of Koopmeiners, Thuram, and McKennie. Early indications suggest that Thuram will occupy the central position, the usual spot of Locatelli.
A Silent Message from the Captain
Despite the coach’s decision, Locatelli may have chosen a subtle way to make his voice heard. On social media, he shared a photo of himself wearing the Juventus shirt — no caption, no words — just an image showing his back with the captain’s armband clearly visible.
The timing of the post, just hours before the clash with Real Madrid, has sparked speculation. It could be a quiet reminder of his status in the team and his pride in leading Juventus, a role he’s held for nearly a year.
Yildiz to Wear the Armband
With Locatelli likely among the substitutes, the captaincy on the pitch should pass to Kenan Yildiz. The young forward only recently wore the armband for the first time and could be set to do so again, this time at one of football’s most iconic venues — the Bernabéu. For many fans, the image of a Juventus number 10 guiding the team under the lights in Madrid evokes memories of Alessandro Del Piero, and tonight, Yildiz could follow that same path.
