Sarri: ‘Less worried about Atalanta than I was after previous games’ | OneFootball

Maurizio Sarri insists he is ‘less worried than I was after the previous games’ after Atalanta’s 2-1 home defeat to Cagliari. ‘It was much more like a Sarri team.’

La Dea are in a poor spell of form, as they fumbled a 1-0 lead at the 87th minute to lose 2-1 at Roma, then were beaten by the same result on home turf by Cagliari this evening.

Paul Mendy finds Atalanta inspirational, as he scored three career Serie A goals and they were all against this club, but while Gianluca Scamacca equalised, Daniel Maldini converted the decisive penalty for a Sead Kolasinac handling offence.

Sarri sees Atalanta on right track

BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 12: Atalanta BC coach Maurizio Sarri reacts during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Parma Calcio at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on September 12, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“We came close to winning against Roma playing very unlike a usual Sarri side,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

“This evening, it was much more like a Sarri team, with intensity, pressure, dominating territorial possession, pinning the other team back with 22 shots on goal. There were some errors that cost us the game, but this is a more solid foundation to build on than the previous matches.”

BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 12: Gianluca Scamacca of Atalanta BC celebrates with his team-mates after scoring their team’s first goalduring the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Parma Calcio at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on September 12, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Is it fair to say we’ll see a more well-drilled Atalanta after the break for international duty when he’ll have more time with the players?

“The trouble is most of them will be off on international duty too, so we risk being down to five players for training and can do nothing,” responded Sarri.

“I am much less worried now than I was after the previous games.”

BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 12: Lazar Samardzic of Atalanta BC reacts during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Parma Calcio at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on September 12, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

It was a dominant performance in terms of possession, but too much of it was sterile, whereas Marco Carnesecchi had to make the toughest saves to deny Cagliari more goals.

Jonathan Rowe and Frank Kessie got their first starts this evening in the Atalanta jersey, but failed to make an impact, with Gianluca Gaetano suspended, Isak Hien and Kamaldeen Sulemana injured.

BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 12: Frank Kessie of Atalanta BC reacts during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Parma Calcio at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on September 12, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“I thought the fitness levels were much better tonight, despite the fact Kessie and Rowe haven’t played much at all lately. In terms of scoring opportunities, compared to the amount of the ball we saw, we probably could’ve created more, even if it wasn’t easy when Cagliari put up a brick wall,” added Sarri.

“I am sorry for the lads who gave their all, and I’m sorry to the fans, but I emerge much less worried tonight than I did after the other games.

“Gaetano is doing very well, but Kessie was excellent this evening. He’s a solid player and will certainly become very important for us, as I think will Gaetano.”