Atalanta coach Maurizio Sarri addressed his side's upcoming match against Roma, where Donyell Malen has been performing at his peak. Sarri said: "Malen is in excellent form so it will be important to stop him. We are the only team in Italy that has played four matches in 11 days, and tomorrow will be the fifth. We have some problems because our growth is fragmented by a series of factors. We want to compete."
Sarri was full of praise for Roma's prospects, stating: "A squad that has strengthened even further. They are a strong group and can fight for the top. I would be surprised if Roma did not fight for the Scudetto." He also stressed his relief that the transfer window has closed. "I am happy the market is finished: we coaches cannot have 50 days where the market is in the middle and at the same time work with the squad. If I complain, you journalists say 'only Sarri complains', if Guardiola says it then it is fine, because today all the managers say this about the market. I am satisfied with the market: now it is necessary to evaluate on the pitch."
On Atalanta's recovery from their busy fixture schedule, Sarri addressed the fitness of new arrivals. "Kristensen has done the third training session, Rowe did training today and Kessié has done 2 or 3. It is not a simple situation; there is a difference between the various individuals: Rowe is already trained, Franck comes from the World Cup so he has to recover fitness, a different situation for Kristensen where he is also learning a lot. They are three players to work with." He noted that Kessié "can play as a central midfielder or in the lowest midfield position. I think he will not have great difficulty playing in both roles." On Charles De Ketelaere, Sarri said: "Unfortunately he trained very little with us because of the World Cup and also because of an injury he had, but I think De Ketelaere is a true world-class player: he can still grow because he is still at 70% of his potential."
Sarri emphasised the significance of the fixture, calling it "a beautiful and important match: Roma is a difficult squad to face," while acknowledging that his Atalanta side is still in early phases of integration after 45 days of work together.
Story Coverage2 sources on this story
Maurizio Sarri offered high praise for AS Roma following Atalanta's Serie A matchday three encounter at the Stadio Olimpico. The Atalanta manager described Roma as "the team most in form" in Serie A and believes they will "fight for the title until the end." GialloRossi.net reports that Sarri acknowledged his side had "put a difficult squad under pressure" despite the uncertain final outcome, noting that Roma's attacking threat meant Atalanta "must expect they can hurt you" when defending deep. Roma News adds that Sarri called it "a beautiful and important match" and said he would be surprised if Roma did not compete for the Scudetto, while also highlighting the threat posed by Donyell Malen, who Sarri said is "in excellent form."
Sarri attributed Atalanta's defensive struggles partly to his team's incomplete integration following the late transfer window closure. GialloRossi.net reports he defended midfielder Gaetano after a late-match incident, claiming the player said nothing to the referee and describing the official's decision as "an obvious refereeing error." Roma News elaborates on Atalanta's fixture congestion, noting they have played four matches in eleven days with another imminent, while also detailing the varying fitness levels of new arrivals: Kristensen on his third training session, Rowe already trained, and Kessié still recovering from the World Cup. Sarri expressed satisfaction that the transfer window had closed, emphasizing that coaches need uninterrupted time to work with their squad.
AI synthesis of all sources below — always check the originals.
Testo Originale / Source Text
“Il tecnico dell’Atalanta Maurizio Sarri ha parlato in conferenza stampa alla vigilia della sfida contro la Roma di Gasperini. Ecco le sue parole:
Cosa ha visto in questa Roma e come bisogna fermare Malen?“Malen è in stato di grazia quindi sarà importante bloccarlo. Noi la partita l’abbiamo…”
Read the full article in Italian at Roma News.
