Sarri in conferenza: “Si preannuncia roba seria, battaglia dura“

Maurizio Sarri, the Atalanta coach, spoke at a press conference at 3:30 PM from the press room of the Bortolotti Training Center in Zingonia. He presented the upcoming match against Hapoel Tel Aviv, the first leg of the UEFA Conference League playoff, scheduled for Thursday, August 20th, at 8:30 PM at the New Balance Arena. TuttoAtalanta.com provided live coverage of the event, relaying all the statements from the Tuscan coach.

THE OFFICIAL OPENING ACT

This is the match that truly kicks off the "Nerazzurri" season and Maurizio Sarri's tenure as coach. The objective is to gain access to the league phase of the competition, with the return leg set for August 27th. These ninety minutes are crucial, potentially defining an entire European campaign, following a pre-season that concluded with a victory in the Bortolotti Trophy against Athletic Club.

ABSENCES

On the eve of the match, the coach must contend with the unavailability of Charles De Ketelaere and Honest Ahanor, as well as Kamaldeen Sulemana, who is out due to a collateral ligament injury sustained in Germany. These absences reduce the options in the attacking midfield and have inevitably reopened transfer market discussions for forwards.

TOPICS ON THE AGENDA

Beyond the starting lineup, the coach will be questioned about the team's current form, the integration of new signing Thomas Kristensen into the back four, and the progress of his technical project, especially at a stage where team chemistry and automatisms are still being built. Market rumors also linger in the background, with the offensive winger position still unaddressed.

LIVE COVERAGE

Stay tuned: from this moment on, this article will be updated in real-time with the coach's full quotes.