Sarri anticipates 'tough' Hapoel challenge in Atalanta's Conference League play-off

Maurizio Sarri expects a demanding evening as Atalanta look to complete their Conference League play-off against Hapoel Tel Aviv on Thursday, with the tie level after a goalless first leg at the New Balance Arena.

With quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb , the coach told Sky Sport Italia that his side must approach the return with belief but without complacency.

“It’ll be a difficult match, we saw that in the first leg, but we have to be convinced we can do it,” Sarri said. “Clearly without becoming presumptuous. We want to play in a European competition. It’ll be tough against a team in great physical condition.”

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JULY 06: Charles De Ketelaere #17 of Belgium applauds fans after the 4-1 victory during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 06, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) ‘De Ketelaere available but not at full fitness’ – Sarri Sarri has Charles De Ketelaere back but is undecided on how to use him. “He’s trained very little after the small adductor problem,” the coach said.

“He did half an hour in the league, his usage will have to be partial. I don’t know whether to start him or bring him on, also because we don’t know how long the match will last.”

The centre-forward position is similarly open. “I haven’t decided yet,” Sarri said of the choice between Gianluca Scamacca and Nikola Krstovic.

“They’re doing well and both seem to be improving. Over the season they’ll alternate based on who is in better shape, then we’ll also play them together.”

On the opposition, he anticipated little variation from the first leg. “They gather well and then break well,” he said. “I don’t think they’ll change their attitude much, we’ll see.”

BERGAMO, ITALY – AUGUST 20: Giacomo Raspadori of Atalanta BC competes for the ball with Mor Buskila and Shahar Piven of Hapoel Tel Aviv during the UEFA Conference League 2026/27 Play Off Round First Leg match between Atalanta BC v Hapoel Tel Aviv at Gewiss Stadium on August 20, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Elyaniv Barda’s side have already eliminated Ludogorets and GKS Katowice to reach this stage, and the return leg will be played at a neutral venue in Hungary rather than in Israel.

Sarri was candid about how far his defenders have to go in absorbing his methods. “It’s still lacking, there’s no point saying otherwise today,” he said.

“The most difficult moment will be when they think they know how to do certain things and instead they still aren’t able to.”