Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti said his side must be more proactive after Federico Gatti’s 92nd-minute equaliser rescued a 1-1 draw against Milan in the third round of Serie A.
The late goal spared the Bianconeri a home defeat and ensured that both Juventus and Milan dropped points for the first time this season.
Reflecting on his team’s performance, Spalletti said: “We must not wait for an invitation from our opponents.”
The Juventus manager’s comments centred on the need for his players to take responsibility during matches rather than relying on the opposition to create opportunities or dictate the terms of the contest.
That message came after a match in which Juventus were forced to recover late at home. Gatti’s goal in the 92nd minute changed the outcome, allowing the Bianconeri to claim a point when they had appeared set to suffer their first defeat of the campaign.
For Milan, the result also represented a missed opportunity to maintain a perfect start to the season. The visitors had been on course to take all three points before Juventus found an equaliser in the closing stages.
The draw leaves both clubs with their first lost points of the Serie A season. It also gives Spalletti an early assessment of the response required from Juventus as the campaign develops.
His emphasis was not simply on the result, but on the manner in which his side approached the game. Rather than waiting for opponents to offer openings, Spalletti wants Juventus to impose themselves and show greater initiative.
The late intervention from Gatti meant the immediate damage was limited. Juventus avoided losing at home, while Milan were denied victory by a goal that arrived in the second minute of added time.
Nevertheless, the match ended with neither side able to preserve its winning record. Juventus and Milan had both taken maximum points before this encounter, making the 1-1 scoreline their first setback of the season in terms of dropped points.
For Juventus, the equaliser provided relief but also underlined the importance of Spalletti’s warning. A point was secured only at the very end, and the manager made clear that his team cannot depend on opponents to dictate when it is allowed to take control.
The outcome therefore carried two contrasting messages for the Bianconeri: Gatti’s late goal prevented a damaging defeat, but Spalletti’s assessment suggested Juventus must become more assertive if they are to turn strong starts to the season into sustained progress in Serie A.