Sarri notes Atalanta improvement but criticizes passivity after 30 minutes
Quick summary
Maurizio Sarri acknowledged Atalanta's improvement but said they became 'too passive after 30 minutes' in a recent match, offering a mixed tactical assessment of the opposition.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceMaurizio Sarri saw definite improvement in Atalanta after their 2-1 victory over Sassuolo , but ‘we became too passive in our defending after the first 30 minutes.’
It has been a difficult start to the season for the new coach, who brings a very different playing style to the one that this squad had been built on for over a decade.
BERGAMO, ITALY – AUGUST 23: Maurizio Sarri, Head Coach of Atalanta looks on before the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and US Sassuolo at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on August 23, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Nerves were felt after the 0-0 first leg Conference League play-off draw with Hapoel Tel-Aviv , but they were swept away with this evening’s Serie A opener.
Giacomo Raspadori broke the deadlock after six minutes, then Nikola Krstovic pounced on a defensive error following the temporary Cas Odenthal equaliser for Sassuolo.
Sarri sees Atalanta progress BERGAMO, ITALY – AUGUST 23: Maurizio Sarri, Head Coach of Atalanta celebrates after the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and US Sassuolo at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on August 23, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) “A victory is always important. We were focused for the first 30 minutes and allowed practically nothing, but then as the game wore on, we started to suffer in defence,” said Sarri in his press conference.
“We need to above all work with the new players, and I include those like Charles De Ketelaere who arrived late due to the World Cup. It’s a process and we’ll see how it goes.
“The midfield did very good work for the whole 90 minutes, but we became too passive after the opening 30 minutes. The wingers did better than last time, Nicola Zalewski showed more initiative too.”
BERGAMO, ITALY – AUGUST 23: Maurizio Sarri, Head Coach of Atalanta looks on before the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and US Sassuolo at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on August 23, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) The 0-0 draw with Hapoel Tel-Aviv also had some big Marco Carnesecchi saves, and the goalkeeper came to their rescue again this evening to deny Sassuolo.
“We have become more dangerous going forward, but if you start to defend deep and passively then it becomes a problem. At times we struggle to press as high as I’d like,” explained Sarri.
“When we defend too deep, we become passive, whereas we’ve got to build out from the back better. I will say that Raspadori has great quality, he struggled in pre-season, but tonight he helped the defence as well as scoring the goal.”
BERGAMO, ITALY – AUGUST 23: Maurizio Sarri, Head Coach of Atalanta looks on before the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and US Sassuolo at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on August 23, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Eljif Elmas came on for his debut just days after arriving from RB Leipzig on loan with option to buy.
“We just had a look at him and thought he could play 15 minutes, but with more in-depth tests we’ll see how much he can improve in his fitness levels.”
Mario Pasalic represents a reunion for Sarri as well as a long-term Atalanta fan favourite.
“He is a real professional with a remarkable work ethic. I already knew Mario at Chelsea, then he went on loan because the squad was so big. I want to congratulate this team, because the work ethic I see in them was clearly drilled into them by a great club and the great coaches who came before me.”
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What happened
Lazio coach Maurizio Sarri shared his observations on Atalanta following a recent encounter, recognizing their overall improvement as a team while pinpointing a specific phase of the match where they dropped too deep. Sarri's comments suggest Atalanta started strong but lost intensity and territorial control after the half-hour mark, allowing his side to gain a foothold. The remarks come amid Atalanta's push for European places in Serie A, with Sarri's analysis highlighting both their growing quality and recurring concentration issues.
Chance analysis
Sarri's candid post-match assessment of Atalanta reveals a side capable of high-level play but still vulnerable to lapses in intensity, a pattern that has defined their season. His emphasis on passivity after 30 minutes is notable for any future tactical preparation, as it points to a structural issue rather than a one-off result. For followers of Serie A, this is a reminder that Atalanta remain a dangerous but beatable opponent whose consistency between phases of a match will determine how far they go this season.
Sarri's public critique of Atalanta's passivity may serve as a warning that opponents can exploit if not addressed, while highlighting Lazio's ability to capitalize on second-phase dominance.