Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli has noted a positive shift in the team’s energy since Igor Tudor took over as coach. Meanwhile, young forward Kenan Yildiz emphasized the critical importance of securing Champions League qualification for next season.

The Turin-based club has shown improvement in recent matches under Tudor’s leadership, securing victories against Genoa and Lecce, as well as earning a draw away to Roma. In their latest fixture, Juventus demonstrated some well-coordinated team play, with Dusan Vlahovic providing assists for goals by Teun Koopmeiners and Kenan Yildiz in the first half.

Despite a late push from Lecce, including a header goal by Federico Baschirotto from a free kick, Juventus managed to hold on for a 2-1 win. Yildiz acknowledged the challenges faced in the closing stages of the match, stating, “We are pleased with the victory, though it became difficult towards the end when they applied pressure.”

The young forward also stressed the significance of Champions League qualification, declaring, “Securing a place in the Champions League is crucial – it’s an absolute necessity. We must continue our hard work and always give our best efforts.”

Juventus Secures Fourth Place After Matchday 32

This latest win temporarily propelled Juventus into third place in Serie A. However, with Atalanta set to face Bologna in an upcoming fixture, the Old Lady is guaranteed to occupy the fourth position by the end of the weekend.

Locatelli shared his thoughts on the team’s improved performances, saying, “There’s been a noticeable change in our energy. We’re approaching matches with a much more positive mindset, which is exactly what we need to maintain. We had opportunities to secure the game earlier and conceded an avoidable goal, but overall, we’re on the right path.”

The midfielder also noted some physical challenges towards the end of the match: “I saw it more as a physical issue than anything else. We lost some sharpness in the final stages and made avoidable mistakes. Nevertheless, we secured three crucial points.”

With Juventus breaking back into the top four after a period of struggle, Locatelli reaffirmed the team’s objectives: “Qualifying for the Champions League is our primary goal. We must do everything in our power to achieve it and aim to win all of our remaining matches.”