Juventus captain Manuel Locatelli didn't hold back his frustration after being booked for simulation in the weekend's 1-1 draw against Hellas Verona, and he's calling for a grittier edge as the Bianconeri fight for Champions League qualification.

"I'm angry about the yellow card," Locatelli admitted, speaking at the launch of Juve's new 'Strength of Stories' podcast series. But his focus quickly shifted to the bigger picture: a tense battle for a top-four spot with Roma and Como breathing down their necks.

With just three matches left in the 2025-26 season, Juventus sit fourth on 65 points, Roma hot on their heels at 64, and Como lurking at 62. The gap narrowed after Roma's emphatic 4-0 win over Fiorentina on Monday, while Juve could only manage a point against Verona.

"I think we lack a bit of competitive nastiness in certain moments," Locatelli said, his tone firm. "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."

The Italian midfielder, who wears the captain's armband with pride, isn't buying into talk of pressure weighing on the squad. "As I've always said, it's a familiar concept in football—we're 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. We're trying, but we lack that wickedness."

For a team built on a legacy of grit and dominance, Locatelli's call for more ruthlessness resonates. Whether it's converting chances when it matters or adding a sharper edge to their play, Juventus know the margin for error is razor-thin. With the Champions League dream on the line, the captain's message is clear: it's time to get nasty.