Locatelli: Juventus have ‘grown as a team’, Kolo Muani made ‘things easier’ | OneFootball

Manuel Locatelli claimed that ‘Juventus have grown as a team’ and have ‘a lot of awareness’ as they prepare for a two-legged play-off against PSV Eindhoven that will determine their future in the Champions League.

The Bianconeri failed to make the top eight in the competition’s league phase, meaning they must go through an additional knockout round if they want to reach the last 16. While the midfielder conceded that they’ve ‘lacked a bit of experience,’ he is confident that improvements will come ‘quickly’ if they continue to show the ‘work attitude’ he sees from the team.

Locatelli: Juventus players ‘know each other better’, but can improve ‘in many areas’

“We’ve grown as a team, and we know each other better as a group,” Locatelli told reporters, speaking in a pre-match press conference alongside coach Thiago Motta.

“We train at full speed, we have a lot of awareness, but also many areas for improvement.

“There are many things I’ve liked [in the first months of this season]. If I had to mention one, I’d say the work attitude, and this will help us improve fairly quickly.

“We’ve lacked a bit of experience, but we’ll improve from game to game and from training to training.”

After picking up 13 draws from their first 20 Serie A games, Juventus won three of the four league fixtures which followed, with new signing Kolo Muani contributing with five goals in his first three outings.

COMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 07: Randal Kolo Muani of Juventus celebrates after scoring their team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and Juventus at Stadio G. Sinigaglia on February 07, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Asked about what impressed him the most about the French striker, Locatelli said: “That he’s a really good guy.”

“We knew about his qualities, but he made an outstanding impact and is truly a nice person. Working with people like that always makes things easier.”

Lastly, the Italy international explained how the veterans are helping the new signings to settle in.

“Being at Juve is a responsibility because here, you need to win right away,” Locatelli concluded.

“Those who’ve been here longer have to explain this to the others, but as I’ve already said, working with guys like these makes everything easier.”