Manuel Locatelli spoke to Prime Video after Juventus’ dominant victory over Benfica, a result that sealed the Bianconeri’s place in the Champions League play-offs. The Juventus captain reflected on the match, his leadership responsibilities, and his relationship with national team coach Luciano Spalletti.
Speaking about the performance, Locatelli said: “Sometimes I’ve had to step up and take responsibility — it’s normal when you wear the captain’s armband. A captain has to do that. It was a great win in the Champions League; we did well in the second half and we’re very happy.”
Reflecting on the first half, the midfielder admitted the team needed to adapt to Benfica’s defensive setup. “We did well to push higher in the second half and to stay calm. In the first half, we tried to find openings, but they were well organised and our ball circulation was too slow. Then we unlocked the game and it all went downhill from there,” he explained.
Locatelli also responded to the standing ovation he received from the crowd at the Allianz Stadium. “I appreciate it a lot. I’ve had difficult moments, but I always put myself out there with heart and determination. It’s a double joy to receive applause from this crowd and from the team I love,” he said. The midfielder also took a moment to praise Juventus legend Cristiana Girelli, who was present during the broadcast: “Congratulations to you, you are part of Juve’s history and it’s a pleasure to share it. Congratulations again.”
Finally, Locatelli spoke about his rapport with Italy coach Luciano Spalletti. “When the coach arrived, he spoke to me right away and I made myself available. He’s a great coach — his experience speaks for itself. We listen to him because we know he can give us a lot. I could have done better even in the year when I didn’t go to the Euros. We’re in a good place with him; everything is going well. I feel good — here, the only thing that matters is winning. The stats are secondary: what counts is winning matches. Winning them well is even better, but the important thing is to win.”
