Locatelli: PSV ‘wanted it more’ than Juventus

epa11908595 (L-R) Ismael Saibari of PSV Eindhoven and Manuel Locatelli of Juventus FC in action during the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-offs 2nd leg soccer match between PSV Eindhoven and Juventus FC in Eindhoven, Netherlands, 19 February 2025. EPA-EFE/SEM VAN DER WAL

Juventus captain Manuel Locatelli admits PSV wanted qualification for the Champions League Round of 16 ‘more’ than the Bianconeri: ‘We are all responsible.’

Juventus suffered a 3-1 loss to PSV on Wednesday, facing elimination from the Champions League knockout playoff.

“It hurts so much because we had it in our hands and threw away a qualification. We are all responsible,” Juventus captain Locatelli told Prime Video Italia.

“Now, we need to come together and get out of this moment, but it hurts a lot. Right now, I don’t have an explanation. They played better than us. They wanted it more. The pitch always speaks, the rest is just talk,” Locatelli continued.

“The pitch said they deserved to win. We need to look each other in the eyes and understand what went wrong.”

Locatelli: ‘PSV wanted it more’ than Juventus

Will Juventus need to change their plans after this exit, especially since qualification for the Round of 16 was the club’s minimum target?

“That’s a question for the club; we have to train at our best and be available,” said Locatelli.

“This defeat hurts, and we must try to get back into the Champions League next year.”

What will he tell his teammates now?

“I don’t think there’s much to say right now,” Locatelli replied.

“Those who have been here longer need to take responsibility. Only together, through hard work and determination, can we get through moments like this. It hurts, but we have to give our all.”

Juventus will meet Cagliari away in the next Serie A match. The Bianconeri currently sit 4th in the standings, level on points with Lazio.

Juventus’ Champions League exit means only one Serie A club will be involved in the Champions League Round of 16: defending Italian champions Inter.

The Nerazzurri will meet PSV or Feyenoord in the next phase. The Dutch sides eliminated Juventus and Milan, respectively. The draw will take place this coming Friday.