Atalanta is preparing for its debut in the Champions League with the first match of the season against Pafos, to open the Conference League. Coach Maurizio Sarri responded to the Sky Sport media, illustrating the group's mentality and the strategy he intends to adopt against the Cypriot club.
Sarri underlined the enthusiasm of the players, who arrived "energised" after two good friendlies. “We are trying to bring to the field what the coach is trying to convey to us and has tried to convey to us since the first day of training camp,” he said, highlighting that the team is gradually getting into its game mechanism. “Tonight we will try to give the best performance possible,” he added, confirming the desire to give our best from the first official match.
As regards preparation, Sarri specified that training was reduced to 30-35 minutes due to the limited time available: "It is clear that we were less than 48 hours away from the previous match and therefore training had to be of a reduced dose." The coach expressed confidence in the team's ability to face "technical" opponents and highlighted the importance of humility as a fundamental mental quality in increasingly competitive football.
On the defensive front, the absence of Scamacca, Hien and Scalvini forced Sarri to review the lineup. “Tonight we will travel with these four and then we will evaluate everything for the future, in the meantime let's think about tonight,” explained the coach, indicating that the final choice will depend on the conditions of the players and the tactical situation.
The coach then spoke about David Luiz, who expressed affection towards the defender. Sarri declared that, when he meets Luiz, "he will tell him what he already knows: I remember him with great affection and I remember him as a great player. But, beyond the player, what I will always remember is the person and the boy". Luiz, who left Chelsea for Juventus, has reportedly never regretted the choice, even though he had a short spell in Turin after just one season.
With the first Conference League match upon us, Atalanta aims to consolidate its identity on the pitch and demonstrate that it is an opponent not to be underestimated. Sarri closed the interview with the hope that the team can maintain the humility and determination necessary to face future challenges.