Atalanta began their Conference League campaign with the authority Maurizio Sarri had demanded, beating Pafos 3-1 at the New Balance Arena, yet the evening also brought another reminder of the physical price being paid across an increasingly crowded season.
Key takeaways
- Eljif Elmas, Giacomo Raspadori and Gianluca Scamacca scored in Atalanta’s home win over David Luiz’s Pafos.
- Raspadori was forced off injured after finding the net for the Nerazzurri.
- Atalanta travel to the Netherlands next Thursday to face Ajax in their next European fixture.
- Sarri said his side created far more than they had against Venezia and largely prevented Pafos from threatening.
- The coach criticised the schedule, pointing to injuries and the additional strain created by international duty.
A convincing European opening with one concern
Three goals and three points gave Atalanta the start they wanted in Europe. Elmas opened the scoring, Raspadori added another before his night was curtailed by injury, and Scamacca completed the home side’s work against Pafos.
Sarri felt his players had made better decisions in possession than they did in the match against Venezia. Atalanta, he said, knew more clearly when to play forward quickly and when to retain the ball, producing a performance in which the difference in quality was evident.
The coach was especially satisfied with the control his team showed. Pafos were offered very little, in his view, aside from the move late in the game that led to their consolation goal. Sarri admitted his disappointment at conceding, but considered the broader display a strong one.
He also spoke warmly of the environment at the club, describing Atalanta as a model organisation and saying he had not previously worked in such a situation. Even after a comfortable European victory, however, he believes the squad can still progress significantly.
Ajax next as Sarri questions the calendar
There will be little time to dwell on the result. Atalanta return to European action next Thursday away to Ajax, seeking to build on their first Conference League victory in the Netherlands.
That immediate turnaround sharpened Sarri’s frustration with the volume of matches. He argued that the issue extends well beyond Atalanta and suggested complaints should be directed towards the Lega, UEFA and FIFA. In his assessment, the number of fixtures has become unreasonable, with the consequences visible throughout the latest European matchdays.
The concern is particularly acute following international breaks. Sarri noted that Giorgio Scalvini was injured shortly after returning from national-team duty, while Raspadori had also come back carrying a physical problem before suffering another setback against Pafos.
“This is the schedule we have,” Sarri’s message was, “but the surprising thing is that the Players’ Association says nothing.” For Atalanta, the challenge is now to protect a group already carrying knocks while maintaining the momentum earned in their opening European chapter.
