Manuel Locatelli, despite being one of Juventus’ most in-form midfielders, faced an unexpected backlash from fans during the team’s first home appearance of the season. The midfielder, who has struggled to fully convince supporters since joining the club, was subjected to whistles and boos during a friendly match against Juventus Next Gen.
La Gazzetta dello Sport report that the root of this discontent seems to stem from past performances, where Locatelli was often played out of position and unable to showcase his true abilities. However, the negative reaction from fans should be contextualized. The whistles initially started after a misplaced pass by Locatelli but escalated due to a generally low-quality and slow-paced period of the game.
Interestingly, the Curva Sud supporters responded to the whistles with supportive chants, highlighting a divide in fan opinion. This back-and-forth lasted only a few minutes but demonstrated a protective stance towards Locatelli, who has risen in the team hierarchy to potentially become vice-captain.
New coach Thiago Motta has been impressed with Locatelli’s pre-season performance and attitude. The midfielder has shown a willingness to adapt and carve out an important role in the new system, which seems better suited to his characteristics.
The whistles appear to be more a reflection of past frustrations when Locatelli was played out of position rather than a judgment on his current form. This incident is unlikely to derail Locatelli’s progress. Instead, it may serve as additional motivation for him to prove his worth to the doubters among the Juventus faithful.
As the new season approaches, Locatelli’s growth aligns with the team’s expectations, and he has an opportunity to change perceptions and solidify his place as a key player in Motta’s revamped Juventus side.
