Raoul Bellanova expressed his enthusiasm after Atalanta's victory over Venezia, underlining the importance of the new coach's trust and his evolution as a full-back. In a press conference held at the New Balance arena, the player praised the team's performance in the first 45 minutes, but also acknowledged the drop in intensity in the second half, which led to the opponent's counterattack goal. "We played at a very high level at the beginning, recovering many balls and creating dangerous opportunities. When we conceded the goal, we should have taken the game home, especially after three consecutive defeats, but we gave up," explained Bellanova, adding that he was satisfied with the victory.
On the topic of the injury, the player specified that it was a gluteal discomfort rather than a serious muscle problem, which is why he was excluded from the pitch as a precaution. “It wasn't a serious problem, but I decided to get out of it so as not to risk it,” he said. Regarding the new coach, Bellanova highlighted how Sarri is helping him to feel more confident in the defensive phase, thanks to a more structured approach and greater trust in him. “Sarri is giving me a lot of confidence and I feel more calm when I defend,” said the player.
The coach also spoke about the tactical changes introduced by the new coach. Bellanova underlined that the work was more head-oriented, with greater attention to the ball rather than the opposing player. “Every day we try to improve and there has been a significant change compared to previous years,” he said. As for the 4-man formation, he explained that this configuration allows him to have more space in the defensive phase and to contribute with the ball between his feet. “The 4-2-3-1 system gives me more space to attack and allows me to help out with the ball,” he added.
Finally, Bellanova commented on the serenity of the group. The player reported that Sarri has always underlined the importance of not being too thinking and maintaining an aggressive and offensive character. "The coach tells us not to be afraid of making mistakes, but to be aggressive and offensive. We are improving a lot in this sense", he concluded. With the victory against Venezia, Atalanta continues to try to consolidate their position in the standings, while the new coach and his players work to maintain the confidence and attacking rhythm that have brought them success.