Atalanta concluded their match against Frosinone with a spectacular draw, 4-4, after an injury time move that left the fans delirious. Following the match, Atalanta winger Davide Zappacosta attended the press conference to comment on the performance and the criticism the team received.
Zappacosta reiterated that the team does not lack identity, but that it is necessary to improve clarity in managing the game. "The team understood Mr. Sarri's concepts, but when we find ourselves against teams that try to dominate the game, we have to be more clear in our management. We allowed ourselves to be influenced by their way of playing, and this penalized our team," he explained. The player also underlined the importance of maintaining physicality, since "the fact that we dropped physically was fatal" and suggested that greater determination could have made the difference in the second half.
Regarding the match against Frosinone, Zappacosta recognized the quality of the opposing team. "It's clear that when facing certain players, it's never easy. You have to be smarter and better at defending as a team," he said. The player then commented on the disappointment of the fans, stating that "we feel like the first team to want to change things". According to Zappacosta, the team showed character, but "in the second half we needed that extra determination, in fact we conceded the ball in the game".
Coach Gian Piero Gasperini has already started working on a more balanced approach, trying to integrate Sarri's philosophy with greater defensive solidity. Atalanta, who are currently seventh in the table, will face a number of important challenges in their upcoming matches, including clashes against Juventus and Milan. The club has already announced that it will continue to focus on improving the defensive line and managing physicality to prevent game situations from turning into points of weakness.
With the calendar becoming increasingly dense, Atalanta will have to demonstrate that they can maintain their tactical identity and be able to manage the pressure of their stronger rivals. The team, under the guidance of Sarri and with the support of players like Zappacosta, aims to consolidate its position in Serie A and avoid falling into vulnerable situations that could compromise the season.