Sarri urges Atalanta to reconnect ahead of Kairat Almaty Conference League clash
Atalanta manager Maurizio Sarri says his team must strengthen its unity and mental resilience as it prepares to face Kairat Almaty on the third matchday of the Conference League. Speaking on the eve of the fixture, Sarri described the club’s training retreat as an opportunity for players to build closer relationships—sometimes away from football—and address the issues affecting the team.
Atalanta’s next European fixture is scheduled for 6 November 2026, with the Italian side looking to turn recent frustration into a more composed performance. Sarri’s comments suggest that, while tactical adjustments may have a role in any team’s development, he does not believe tactics are the main cause of Atalanta’s current difficulties. Instead, he pointed to concentration, confidence and the response to setbacks as areas that require attention.
Team retreat focused on trust and togetherness
Sarri explained that the retreat is designed to bring the squad closer together and help players form stronger personal bonds. The aim, he said, is not simply to spend more time discussing match plans, but to create a stronger collective understanding that can help the group navigate challenging moments.
“The retreat is about bringing us closer together and building stronger relationships than usual, even without talking about football, so we can forge stronger personal bonds and overcome the problems we are facing,” Sarri said.
That approach reflects a familiar challenge in football: a team can have the technical quality to create opportunities but still struggle to respond when a match turns against it. Trust between teammates, clear communication and emotional composure can all influence how a side reacts after conceding. For Atalanta, the retreat appears intended to strengthen those foundations before the demanding stretch of European competition continues.
Sarri reflects on experience and pressure
The Atalanta coach also spoke about his own experience of dealing with difficult periods. Sarri said he has faced similar situations throughout his career, though he acknowledged that persistence does not always guarantee an immediate solution.
“This is not a new situation for me. I have come through it by being consistent; at times I have not come through it at all. With experience, you accept certain things and deal with them better,” he told ANSA.
His remarks underline the measured tone he is trying to bring to the situation. Rather than presenting a quick fix, Sarri emphasised the value of consistency and perspective. For a team preparing for a European match, that message matters: the response to a difficult result can shape the confidence with which players approach their next opportunity.
Parma performance offered positives—and a warning
Sarri said he was pleased with parts of Atalanta’s first-half display against Parma, particularly the elements that matched his expectations. However, he also identified defensive carelessness as a significant concern. In his assessment, the team’s performance changed sharply after Parma scored the opening goal.
“I am happy with the team. In the first half against Parma, I saw what I wanted to see, apart from the defensive carelessness,” he said. “We stopped believing once we conceded the first goal, and the second was the logical consequence.”
The contrast between a promising first half and a difficult response after conceding highlights the issue Sarri wants the squad to examine. A goal against can alter the rhythm of a match, but teams competing at a high level need to remain organised and committed to their plan. If confidence drops too quickly, defensive gaps can widen, possession can become less purposeful and opponents may gain further momentum.
Chance creation is not the whole story
Sarri pointed to the difference in scoring opportunities against Parma as evidence that the performance was not simply a matter of Atalanta failing to create chances. He cited a tally of 12 opportunities for his side compared with three for Parma, while cautioning that the team must be more decisive at both ends of the pitch.
“Twelve goalscoring chances to three: those are the numbers, those are the facts,” Sarri said. “At times we seem to lack ruthlessness in both penalty areas.”
That observation offers a useful distinction between volume and efficiency. Creating chances is an important part of an attacking game plan, but teams must convert promising situations into goals. At the other end, limiting an opponent’s opportunities is only effective if defenders and the goalkeeper remain alert when pressure arrives. In close matches, a lapse in either penalty area can have a disproportionate effect on the final result.
For Atalanta, improving that efficiency could be decisive against Kairat Almaty. The Italian side will want to translate its attacking intent into clearer, more clinical finishing while avoiding the careless moments that can give an opponent a route back into the game. A strong football prediction for the fixture should therefore consider not only Atalanta’s ability to create chances, but also how well the team manages transitions and reacts to setbacks.
Why Sarri is looking beyond tactics
Sarri was clear that he does not believe tactical issues have caused the problems he has identified. Instead, his comments point towards a mental and collective challenge: Atalanta must understand why one negative event can affect the team’s belief so significantly.
“It is not something you can work on out on the pitch,” he said, adding that the squad needs to reflect on why conceding on Monday evening led to such a loss of focus. His assessment does not dismiss the importance of training or preparation. Rather, it suggests that the response he wants cannot be developed through tactical drills alone. Players must also recognise how they can support one another and maintain concentration when the match becomes uncomfortable.
The Conference League meeting with Kairat Almaty will provide an immediate test of that message. Atalanta will be expected to show attacking purpose, but the team’s composure after key moments may be just as important. If the players can combine the chance creation Sarri praised with greater precision and resilience, they will have a stronger platform for a positive result.
A chance to turn reflection into progress
Sarri’s pre-match comments point to a team that is not short of attacking ideas but needs to become more reliable in decisive moments. The retreat is intended to improve relationships, while the Parma performance has given the squad specific areas to review: defensive carelessness, a drop in belief after conceding and a lack of ruthlessness in both penalty areas.
Against Kairat Almaty, the challenge will be to turn those lessons into action. Atalanta’s performance will offer an indication of whether the group can stay united and focused when the pressure rises. For Sarri, the priority is not simply to change the tactical plan, but to help his players trust one another, respond constructively to adversity and sustain their belief throughout the match.
