Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri motivated Federico Gatti before bringing him on as a sub against Lecce by telling him: ‘You are strong, go to the pitch and be serene.’
Gatti had scored an incredible own goal in Juventus’ 4-2 loss against Sassuolo last week and started on the bench against Lecce on Tuesday.
The Italian defender was introduced as a substitute in the second half and both DAZN and Tuttosport reported the words Allegri said to his defender before the substitution: “You are strong, go to the pitch and be serene.”
Juventus eventually secured a 1-0 win against the Giallorossi who suffered their first defeat this season.
Juventus now have 13 points in the opening six matches of the campaign, just two below league leaders Inter who, however, have a game in hand.
Allegri said after Juventus’ loss against Sassuolo last week that Gatti’s own goal had been “ugly” although it had no impact on the Bianconeri’s eventual defeat.
Juventus return to the pitch this coming Sunday in an away game against Atalanta.