Luciano Spalletti Supports Referee After Controversial Milan Goal in Juventus Match

Spalletti Backs Referee Following Questionable Incident in Juventus vs Milan

Luciano Spalletti has come out in defense of referee Maurizio Mariani after a disputed moment involving Randal Kolo Muani led to a goal for Milan against Juventus. Despite the clash raising eyebrows, Spalletti declined to criticize the officials.

No Grounds for Complaints on Refereeing

The Juventus manager dismissed any criticism over the refereeing during the intense Serie A game between the two clubs. The controversy centered on physical contact between his forward Kolo Muani and Koni De Winter, which eventually resulted in Milan scoring. Many questioned whether a foul should have been called.

Spalletti quickly shut down those concerns, praising the quality of refereeing and pointing out that his defense needed to shoulder responsibility rather than blaming the officials.

Aligning With Modern Football Rules

He emphasized the need for Italian football to follow international standards by ignoring minor contacts that don’t affect play significantly. According to Spalletti, Mariani made the right decision by letting the game flow before the goal was scored.

"Mariani is one of the best Italian referees and in my opinion, the line we are seeing is correct," Spalletti said after the match. "We are adapting to what happens around the world. These are not fouls and it is right not to blow the whistle.

"Either there is an impact, a foul... Everything is fine, I am not going to complain about these things here. The team should have brought the goal home earlier."

Spalletti Calls for Tactical Growth From Juventus

Putting refereeing debates aside, Spalletti focused on improvements he expects from his squad tactically. He urged his players to be more aggressive in pressing opponents and more effective when in possession of the ball.

"I am asking them to go and press, and to build serious things when we have the ball," the coach explained. "Then to make them learn that the real difference is made in the spaces that no one measures. It is made in those moments where everything seems normal and you have the strength to overturn the result."

Current Standings and Upcoming Fixtures

This draw leaves Juventus in fifth place with seven points. Their next challenge is an away game against Sassuolo in Serie A this weekend.

• Serie A Fixture: Lazio vs AC Milan - 12 Sept 2026, 19:00
• Serie A Fixture: Sassuolo vs Juventus - 13 Sept 2026, 21:45