Juventus captain Manuel Locatelli says the team must add “competitive nastiness” as the club fights for Champions League qualification, with Juventus sitting fourth in Serie A and facing a tight run-in that leaves little room for further slips in form during the closing weeks of the 2025-26 campaign.

Locatelli spoke during the launch event of Juves Strength of Stories podcast and stressed how small details are shaping the season. “I think we lack a bit of competitive nastiness in certain moments,” Locatelli told reporters, underlining the need for a sharper mindset in decisive passages of matches.

Juventus currently hold fourth place in Serie A, one point ahead of fifth-placed Roma, with three league fixtures remaining in 2025-26. That narrow cushion leaves Luciano Spalletti’s side vulnerable, as one poor result could allow Roma to overtake and push Juventus outside the Champions League qualification places.

Spalletti’s team are unbeaten in nine league matches, with a record of five wins and four draws, yet momentum has slowed. They drew 0-0 against AC Milan and 1-1 against Verona in their last two Serie A outings, which has increased pressure with the race for Champions League football approaching its conclusion.

Juventus have twice drawn consecutive Serie A matches under Spalletti, with the previous run coming in November against Torino and Fiorentina. There are also concerns about home form, as Juventus have failed to win four of their last six league games in Turin against opponents who started the matchday inside the relegation zone, recording two wins and four draws.

Locatelli highlighted efficiency in attack as a key issue. “We have to try to score when games are still open. Being clinical in front of goal helps us. The coach told us, we need a pinch of extra nastiness. As Ive always said, its a familiar concept in football, were used to this sort of pressure. The important thing is that it all still depends on us. We have to play these next few games with maturity. Were trying, but we lack that wickedness.”

The midfielder also reflected on Juventus’ current European status. Juventus reached the play-off round of the Champions League this season, going out to Galatasaray after extra time despite cancelling out a three-goal first-leg deficit, and Locatelli believes that experience shows why the squad must develop a harder edge to secure a place in UEFA’s premier competition.

Upcoming Serie A fixtures will decide whether Juventus return to the Champions League. Juventus visit Lecce next, then host Fiorentina, before finishing the league campaign against city rivals Torino. These remaining matches offer limited margin for error and will test whether Spalletti’s side can produce the competitive nastiness that Locatelli has demanded.

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Locatelli’s comments came with Juventus already back in preparation mode on the training ground as the decisive phase begins.

With the standings tight and form mixed, Juventus now rely on delivering focused performances in all three remaining games.