Locatelli: ‘Juventus are better than this’ after sliding to 7th place | OneFootball

Manuel Locatelli insists Juventus ‘are better than this’ after the 2-1 defeat to Napoli left them languishing in seventh place. ‘We made mistakes we should not be making.’

The Bianconeri barely created any scoring opportunities at the Stadio Diego Maradona, as the Kenan Yildiz angled drive was their first shot on target.

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NAPLES, ITALY – DECEMBER 07: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, reacts during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Juventus FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 07, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

That was only a temporary equaliser after the Rasmus Hojlund opener, and the Dane added a second nodding in the mistaken Weston McKennie knockdown.

With Dusan Vlahovic out injured, Luciano Spalletti had opted for Kenan Yildiz as a False 9, but it didn’t pay off.

Locatelli outlines Juventus problems

NAPLES, ITALY – DECEMBER 07: Kenan Yildiz of Juventus celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Juventus FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 07, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

“The coach had asked us to keep the ball and pass it around to create superiority in the midfield, but they pressed us well and we made mistakes that we should not be making,” Locatelli told DAZN Italia.

“We certainly need to do better than this.”

It was an opportunity for Juventus to get back into the title race, but instead the defeat leaves them eight points adrift of the Serie A leaders.

They are also now just three points clear of Sassuolo and Cremonese, still behind Como in seventh place.

NAPLES, ITALY – DECEMBER 07: Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Juventus FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 07, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

“We are well aware of the position that we are in and that we must do better, because we are better than this,” added Locatelli.

“We’ve got to pick up points, at the end of the day, words count for very little. It’s about results.”

The midfielder was asked how he is experiencing this current moment for the Bianconeri, who are on their third coach in two seasons after Thiago Motta and Igor Tudor dismissals.

“With the responsibility that a captain ought to have. I must try to set the example and explain why we lost today, even if what ultimately counts is what happens on the pitch.”