Many eyebrows would have raised by Spalletti's shuffle following three draws on the bounce, especially as a triumph on Bodo/Glimt's artificial grass pitch was required to climb the Champions League table.
Shotstopper Mattia Perin was given a rare run-out instead of regular keeper Michele Di Gregorio. The club's biggest stars Dusan Vlahovic and Kenan Yildiz didn't start, with unorthodox striker Lois Openda given the nod as lone striker.
Spalletti stuck to his guns with three defenders and one target man, despite recent poor performances that were not befitting of Juve's stature and history.
The opening half in Norway, where the snow was falling and seen on the side of the Aspmyra Stadion, became a nightmate for Juventus.
Their set-up saw Bodo/Glimt run rings around the Turin titans, but they were only able to lead 1-0 at the interval. Juve's defense were caught napping, with Ole Didrik Blomberg breaking the deadlock on 27 minutes.
Another game of two halves
Yet it became a proverbial game of two halves, not for the first time during Spalletti's brief Juventus tenure, with a much-improved display after the turnaround.
Turkish talent Yildiz was hauled off the bench to replace Vasilije Adzic for the start of the second half, which marked his milestone 100th appearance in a Juve jersey. Andrea Cambiaso also achieved a century of matches in Norway.
Summer signing Openda pounced on a loose ball to grab a 48th-minute equaliser, to finally score for the fallen Italian giants.
American ace Weston McKennie, part of a four-man midfield, headed Juve into the lead on the hour-mark to turn up the heat on their spirited hosts.
Juventus paid the penalty
It became a midfield battle, but Juve were superior in all departments only to concede a late penalty. Bodo/Glimt kicked off an action-packed finale by levelling matters through Sondre Brunstad Fet's 87th-minute spot-kick.
Second-half substitute Jonathan David, who was swapped for Openda with quarter-of-an-hour remaining, did what he does best by being a goal poacher. Yildiz's effort was parried into the path of the Canada international, who tapped home in opening minute of stoppage time to silent the previously vocal home supporters.
Spalletti, who must have felt that lady lucky was smiling on his side, enthused at the post-match press conference: “It’s an important win for us, and it was also important that we played openly across the whole pitch, and with sudden changes of pace and direction.
“Everybody who has come here has struggled here. It’s almost like they [Bodo/Glimt] can breathe more easily here. The guys deserved this win, they did what they had to do.”
Spalletti admitted struggles
Straight after the match, ecstatic Spalletti was pumped up by registering Juve's first Champions League of their dismal campaign.
He told Sky Sport Italia: “The team played an open and attacking game, which was a struggle at time, as Bodo/Glimt play with really impressive passing and speed of thought on this pitch, that had rather intimidated us looking at their previous home matches.
“We didn’t make the most of some pretty easy situations in the first half. Then after the break they doubled up and pushed hard.
“The team kept pushing forward every time, had some good moves and spells of play. Everyone has struggled here. They all told us that it felt like the hosts were going twice as quickly, that they could breathe more easily in this climate.
“It would’ve been a pity not to bring home the points after that second half, as the lads did what they needed to do.
"I am happy tonight because in the locker room I saw happy faces, or at least more relaxed ones, because players are people too and they suffer when things don’t go well.
"This is an important victory, one the lads deserved, and we dedicate it to ourselves and those fans who made the trip to see us.
“The players need to grow in terms of belief and courage, we need that extra step in both mentality and our training."