Spalletti Backs Referee Mariani Over Milan Goal in Juventus Draw
Luciano Spalletti has backed referee Maurizio Mariani after Juventus’ draw with Milan, insisting the official was right to wave play on before the Rossoneri scored following a clash between Randal Kolo Muani and Koni De Winter.
The Juventus coach rejected any attempt to turn the incident into an excuse. Kolo Muani and De Winter came together in a physical duel during the move, with Milan later finding the net, but Spalletti said his side should look at its own defending instead of demanding a foul.
Quick facts
- Spalletti defended referee Maurizio Mariani after Juventus’ Serie A meeting with Milan.
- Milan scored after contact involving Randal Kolo Muani and Koni De Winter.
- Juventus remain fifth with seven points after the draw.
- The Bianconeri travel to Sassuolo in their next league fixture this weekend.
“Mariani is among Italy’s best referees and I believe the approach we are seeing is the right one,” Spalletti said after the match. “We are moving towards the standard used elsewhere in the world. Those situations are not fouls, so it is right not to stop the game.”
The Italian added that only clear, meaningful contact should bring a whistle. He made clear he would not complain about the decision, saying Juventus should have done more to protect their position before the goal arrived.
Spalletti also demanded a sharper response from his players in the next games. He wants Juventus to press higher and create more with the ball, while improving in the less visible moments that can swing a result.
“I ask them to press and to build proper moves when we have possession,” he said. “The real difference comes in the spaces nobody measures, in moments that look ordinary but where you have the strength to change the game.”
Juventus now sit fifth in Serie A on seven points. Next up is an away trip to Sassuolo, where Spalletti will seek the win his side missed against Milan.
