Weston McKennie opened the scoring in the 29th minute and Douglas Luiz doubled Juventus’ lead on 41 minutes, settling the contest before half-time.
“We played a good first half,” Spalletti said. “We were willing to take the game to the opposition and created some promising opportunities. In the second half, however, we dropped off a little in how we managed the game.”
The Juventus coach felt his players became too cautious with the advantage.
“We made fewer positive decisions and showed less courage because we thought we could control the match. Lecce changed things tactically. You need courage, but without losing your shape. We didn’t give anything away, but we were less proactive in trying to put the game to bed.”
Spalletti said the team had to focus on those available rather than the injured players.
“It doesn’t interest me to talk about who isn’t here, even though there are a lot missing. I’m not going to play the next match with injured players; I have to put things right with those who are available.
“We have to measure ourselves against the force and intensity of the opposition, as we did tonight, competing all over the pitch. That is the right attitude.”
Lecce coach Eusebio Di Francesco believed the difference was finishing, despite his side improving after a tactical switch.
“Juventus interpreted the first half better. I wanted to continue with our system, knowing we could have difficulties in wide areas,” he said. “We conceded when we were having our best spell. Sometimes players have particular characteristics, and you cannot ask Fatah and N’Dri to be Pierotti, because you risk things defensively.
“The change of system allowed us to be more aggressive and create chances. Then you have to score. The difference was that one team took its chances and the other did not.”
Di Francesco rejected the idea that Juventus had dominated throughout.
“Over the 90 minutes, Juventus were not superior. The difference is in the quality. I liked Lecce being proactive against a big team. Once we took away their width, we were a better side. It is a shame about the second goal we conceded.”
He said courage had been central to his preparation.
“I prepared the game by talking only about courage. We know the difference in the quality of the players on the pitch, and that made the difference. Even when I changed the system, I saw an excellent response.”
The result was valuable, but Spalletti wants that intent sustained.