Sarri: Hoping for fewer off-field issues at Atalanta, focus on football

July 17 — Maurizio Sarri has officially been unveiled as the new head coach of Atalanta, holding his first press conference since taking over the role.

On His Decision to Join Atalanta

Sarri began by expressing gratitude to the club's leadership:

"I want to thank everyone at the club for being here today. A key reason I came is the determination with which they approached me, and my respect for this family and this club — a respect that goes back a long way."

He added that he has long been impressed by Atalanta's work ethic and the atmosphere at the stadium:

"I've always felt this is a club truly built on hard work. That deeply moved me and is one of the reasons I'm happy to be here."

Blending Philosophies: Sarri's Football vs. Atalanta's Tradition

When asked how much of his own style would be implemented and how much of the existing Atalanta identity would remain, Sarri acknowledged the differences:

"Clearly, our football philosophies are completely different. We'll see what can be preserved and what must change because of my vision of the game. I have to convey the football I truly believe in — I can't teach a team a style that isn't mine."

He stressed the importance of maintaining the team's competitive spirit:

"What matters is showing a great Atalanta while continuing the team's character. In recent years, we've seen a side that works hard — their performances prove it — and a team that fights until the end in every match. I want those qualities to remain."

On Squad Strength and the Transfer Market

Sarri confirmed that he and sporting director Giovanni Sartori are aligned on recruitment needs:

"The director knows my football ideas well, so I don't need to give him specific names. He knows the type of players I like to coach. I trust that market opportunities will be seized."

Regarding squad depth, Sarri said:

"Let me wait until the eight players who participated in the World Cup return. Then we'll see if we're missing anything. But I'm very satisfied with the players here — they have a great work ethic and train with full commitment."

On the Transition from Three to Four at the Back

Asked about the tactical shift from a three-man to a four-man defense, Sarri provided early insights:

"We're trying Zalewski and Samardžić in interior midfield roles. As for Raspadori — he's an excellent player I've followed for years. After four or five years of pursuit, I'm finally lucky enough to coach him."

He also highlighted the strength of his center-forward options:

"We mustn't forget we have two very capable strikers: Krstović and Scamacca. They rarely played together last season but scored over 20 goals combined — equivalent to having a single striker with 20+ goals. For now, we're using Giacomo [Raspadori] out wide or in midfield. We'll see how things develop once the squad is complete."

On Gianluca Scamacca's Potential

Sarri addressed the challenge of unlocking Scamacca's full potential:

"I think Gianluca is a very strong striker. So far in his career, he probably hasn't fully reached his potential — that's not just my feeling, but a fairly common view. The biggest challenge is helping him reach 100%."

He added that a highly individualized training plan is being developed to minimize injury risks.

On Expectations for the Season

Sarri was measured about immediate goals:

"The primary objective right now is to make them a real team — a team that embraces a new way of thinking. The first few months will be difficult, as has always been the case for me."

He drew on past experiences:

"At Empoli, after eight or nine games we were last, but we ended up reaching the promotion playoff final. The next season we went straight to Serie A. At Napoli, we had just two points after three rounds but finished second. So I know we'll have to suffer, work hard, and face criticism. That's inevitable. But wait until the end to judge the final product."

On Scalvini's Role in the New Defense

When asked about Giorgio Scalvini's position in the new system, Sarri replied:

"With the players currently available, Scalvini has been trying both right and left center-back — one of the two in a central defensive pair. I think he can handle it."

A Message for Lazio Fans

Sarri also addressed his departure from Lazio:

"Lazio fans know exactly what I think — there's no need to repeat it. We must turn the page. I've always had affection for those fans because their treatment of me was impeccable."

Source: YouTube