Joao Mario targets Juventus future after Bologna loan revival
Joao Mario has stated his intention to fight for a place at Juventus next season, despite being loaned to Bologna in January. The 26-year-old Portuguese full-back, who joined Juve from Porto last summer, is using his time at Bologna to prove he can succeed in Serie A after struggling for consistent minutes in Turin.
In an interview with Portuguese outlet A Bola, Joao Mario explained that his loan move was driven by a need for playing time following the arrival of manager Luciano Spalletti at Juventus. He revealed that Spalletti was seeking more defensive characteristics for his role, leading to a mutual agreement for a temporary departure. At Bologna, where he has featured more regularly, he aims to demonstrate his potential.
Joao Mario admitted his initial months at Juventus had started positively, with opportunities to play and even start matches. However, he acknowledged the difficulty of immediately establishing himself at a club of Juve's stature, citing a different culture and a necessary adaptation process. His playing time diminished as the technical staff sought different profile for his position, a trend that continued under interim manager Igor Tudor.
His current focus is on performing well for Bologna for the remainder of the season, with the club still active in the Europa League, where they will face Aston Villa in the next round. He believes a strong finish can help his case for a Juventus recall, though he concedes the final decision rests with the club's management and Spalletti's plans. Beyond his club future, Joao Mario also has ambitions of returning to the Portuguese national team setup.
