In Juventus, Locatelli is not only the center of the team's midfield, but also a young leader who carries dreams and hopes. In a recent interview with Torino Sport, the Italian international opened up and shared his thoughts on Juve, his teammates, his opponents and his personal future.
Speaking about joining Juve, Locatelli couldn't hide his excitement: "When I was a kid, I dreamed of becoming a Serie A player and wearing the Juventus colors. This dream has now come true and I want to thank myself, my family and God. At Juve, I have many idols that I admire, such as Del Piero, Nedved and Totti. The first time I met Nedved, I was so excited I couldn't put it into words. My family are all big Juve fans and we have seen the team's glories and lows together."
On his changing role within the Juve team, Locatelli said: "From a young player to a veteran, it's not just a matter of age, but also a change in mentality and responsibility. I remember the shock of playing with Kaka, Robinho and other superstars when I first joined Milan's first team. Now, we focus more on team spirit and respect, and young players need our guidance and encouragement. I will do my best to set an example for them."
Talking about coaching turnover, Locatelli believes that each coach has his own unique style: "Allegri taught me how to stay calm under pressure, while Thiago Motta impressed me. He has a strong personality, works meticulously and has a different approach to training. But no matter how the coach changes, our goal is always to win."
Facing the challenges in the league, Locatelli showed maturity and confidence: "The three 0-0 games did make us a bit frustrated, but we are gradually adjusting our form. Against Napoli we showed a better performance. I need to improve my shooting ability, but it's more important to keep the balance of the team. I believe that as long as we are united, there is no difficulty we can't overcome."
Locatelli spoke highly of the new additions: "They are all very good players, and each one of them has left a deep impression on me. Not only do they have outstanding skills, but more importantly, they have a heart that is eager to improve. This will be the key to Juve's future success."
When talking about his opponents, Locatelli showed respect and vigilance, "Arsenal and Leipzig are both strong opponents, and I respect every one of their players and coaches. But we have to focus on our own game and meet every challenge with our best form."
On the outlook for the national team and the league title, Locatelli said, "After the Europa League loss, I'm more focused on improving my abilities and contributing more to the national team. As for the league title, I think Inter Milan is still the strongest contender, but Milan, Napoli and us Juve all have a chance. We will move forward one step at a time and strive for the best results."
Finally, Locatelli spoke about the upcoming match against Genoa: "It's always a pleasure to play at the Stadio Marassi and our goal is to get all three points. At the same time, I would like to take this opportunity to give Malinowski a hug and show my support and concern for him."
