Sarri relieved transfer window is closed and flags Malen as key threat ahead of Roma clash
Quick summary
Atalanta manager Maurizio Sarri said he is happy the transfer window has shut and highlighted Donyell Malen as a danger man for the upcoming Serie A fixture against Roma.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceAtalanta coach Maurizio Sarri has warned Roma that Donyell Malen is in “a state of grace” ahead of Saturday evening’s meeting at the Stadio Olimpico, while admitting he is delighted that the summer transfer window has finally closed.
Malen has made an immediate impression since joining Roma and will be one of the main attacking threats Sarri’s side must contain. The Atalanta coach singled out the Dutchman when discussing how his team have prepared for the difficult away fixture.
“Malen is in a state of grace, so it will be important to stop him,” with quotes via TuttoSport.
Sarri is also aware that his team face a significant physical challenge. Atalanta are the only Serie A side to have already played four matches in 11 days, leaving limited opportunities to train and prepare specifically for their opponents.
“It is a match between a team that already has 13 or 14 months of work behind it and one like ours that has had 45 days.”
That disparity in preparation time is something Sarri believes could prove significant, particularly with several of Atalanta’s new arrivals still adapting to his system.
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) Atalanta coach Sarri ‘happy that the transfer window is over’ Despite the difficulties, the coach was satisfied with the club’s summer business. More importantly, he can now focus entirely on football rather than dealing with transfer speculation.
“I am happy that the transfer window is over. We coaches cannot have 50 days with the transfer window in the middle.”
Sarri also offered a strong assessment of Roma, suggesting Gasperini’s side should be considered genuine Scudetto contenders after strengthening further during the summer.
“I would be surprised if Roma did not fight for the Scudetto.”
VERONA, ITALY – MAY 24: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, looks on prior to during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and AS Roma at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on May 24, 2026 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images) The Atalanta boss also praised Gasperini , describing him as a “very strong coach”, but insists Saturday’s encounter is one his team will attempt to approach without fear.
“Tomorrow evening will certainly be a difficult match, but we will try to play our game.”
With Roma entering the fixture after a positive start and Atalanta dealing with a congested schedule, Sarri knows his side face one of their toughest tests yet.
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What happened
Atalanta head coach Maurizio Sarri spoke to the media ahead of his side's Serie A meeting with Roma, expressing relief that the transfer window has finally closed and that his squad can now focus on football. Sarri specifically pointed to attacker Donyell Malen as a major threat heading into the contest, underlining the Dutch forward's importance to Atalanta's attacking plans. The comments frame the upcoming match as a key test for Atalanta, who appear to have settled their squad after a busy window. Roma will travel to Bergamo looking to disrupt an Atalanta side that Sarri believes is now ready to hit form.
Chance analysis
Sarri's relief that the window has closed suggests Atalanta were active in the market and that squad uncertainty may have been a distraction in the early weeks of the season. By publicly naming Malen as the main threat, Sarri is also putting Roma on notice while raising expectations on the Dutch forward to deliver. For Atalanta supporters, the framing is one of a squad now stabilized and pointed in the right direction; for Roma, it is a clear warning about where the danger will come from at Gewiss Stadium.
Atalanta enter the Roma fixture with a stabilized squad and a clearly designated attacking focal point in Malen, boosting their offensive threat profile.