Sarri diplomatic on Atalanta's Europa League match against Hapoel Tel-Aviv
Quick summary
Lazio coach Maurizio Sarri declined to publicly comment on the Atalanta vs Hapoel Tel-Aviv Europa League fixture, saying 'ask me in private,' highlighting the politically sensitive nature of Italian clubs facing Israeli opposition amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceMaurizio Sarri tries to prepare Atalanta for a tense Conference League play-off against Hapoel Tel-Aviv, warning he won’t reveal his ‘private’ views on the fixture against an Israeli team.
The first leg kicks off at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo on Thursday at 19.30 UK time (20.30 CEST).
Sarri tries to keep Atalanta focused
Inevitably, there will be an extraordinary level of security put in place for this event, with circa 1,000 visiting fans expected to attend in the stands.
There will be extra checks on anyone entering the stadium, including a ban on Palestinian flags or banners that could spark tension.
Nonetheless, a protest has been scheduled at 17.00 UK time (18.00 CEST) in Bergamo.
MILAN, ITALY – MAY 10: Giacomo Raspadori of Atalanta celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with teammates during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Atalanta BC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 10, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) When Sarri was pressed on the calls for Israel’s club sides to be excluded in much the same way Russian teams are from UEFA competition, he tried to be diplomatic.
“I am here as a representative of a club, and as a professional, I must face every game that we are scheduled to play with the objective of victory,” said Sarri in his press conference.
“This is the attitude of a professional. If you want to ask me my private thoughts on the matter, then you’ll have to ask me in private.
“Hapoel Tel-Aviv are a tough team, they had some very dangerous counter-attacks in the preliminary rounds so far, and are better than many people might suggest.
“Historically, preliminary rounds have always been tricky for Italian sides, so we had to prepare in a different way for this test. We must try to be aware of our capabilities.”
Charles De Ketelare and Honest Ahanor are still out after pre-season injuries, but hope to be ready for the Serie A opener this weekend against Sassuolo.
Kamaldeen Sulemana has a more long-term issue and won’t be back for a couple of months.
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What happened
Maurizio Sarri, manager of Lazio, was asked about Atalanta's Europa League match against Israeli side Hapoel Tel-Aviv and chose to keep his views off the record. His refusal to speak openly underscores the broader sensitivity within Italian football regarding fixtures against Israeli clubs during the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. The episode reflects how Serie A figures are navigating politically charged questions while balancing league obligations. Atalanta, as the Italian club directly involved, are the focal point of the discussion.
Chance analysis
The reluctance of senior Italian coaches to publicly address fixtures involving Israeli clubs illustrates how the geopolitical situation has bled into European football's fixture calendar. Atalanta's Europa League tie with Hapoel Tel-Aviv sits at the intersection of sporting obligation and political conscience, and Sarri's careful silence speaks volumes about the uncomfortable position clubs and managers find themselves in. UEFA has so far declined to relocate such matches, forcing participants to decide whether — and how — to speak about them.
No direct sporting impact on Lazio; indirect signal that Atalanta's Europa League tie carries political distraction risk.