Atalanta return from the international break with the sense that their season is still waiting for its attacking rhythm. Maurizio Sarri’s work in Bergamo is a long-term project, but the next few days carry immediate weight: Venezia visit on Monday 12 at 18:30, followed by Pafos in the Conference League on Thursday at 21:00.
A project that needs points
Sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli used his appearance at the Festival dello Sport on Friday evening to frame the early difficulties. In his view, Sarri needs time to tailor the side to his ideas, with the club pursuing progress and satisfaction over the medium term.
That patience remains important, particularly after a major change in playing identity. Yet Atalanta cannot allow the broader objective to drift out of sight. Another European qualification is the target, and that means the league table and the approaching Conference League fixture both matter.
- Atalanta began the campaign aware that a substantial tactical reset would not be immediate.
- The early matches have brought problems, even allowing for an awkward schedule.
- The home meeting with Venezia now offers a chance to restore league momentum.
- Pafos then arrive in Bergamo, making it a week in which results could settle the working environment around the squad.
Giuntoli stressed that defeats do not alter the club’s approach. Still, victories and points can give the coaching staff, and especially the players, a calmer platform from which to develop.
An attack searching for movement
The principal concern has been the lack of attacking production. Atalanta have often looked static in the final third, without enough runs behind the opposition defence or quick progress towards the penalty area. After the season-opening match against Hapoel Tel Aviv, Sarri described his team as “thinking” too much.
The underlying numbers underline the issue. Across the first five Serie A rounds, excluding penalties, Atalanta produced 4.08 expected goals. Only Parma, on 3.41, and Genoa, with 3.67, registered lower totals. Inter lead the same measure on 14.48.
The problem has not simply been the pace of the collective attack. Several of Atalanta’s leading individuals have appeared short of their best physically and reluctant to attempt the decisive action. Charles De Ketelaere, among the side’s most gifted players, has been emblematic of that broader struggle.
Sarri considers a different structure
The break has given Sarri time to consider ways of bringing his best attackers closer together. A move from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1 is under consideration, a shape that could create more connections between Gianluca Scamacca, Lazar Samardzic, Jonathan Rowe and De Ketelaere before attacks reach the opposition goal.
There were hints of that approach in the closing stages of the match away to Juventus in Turin. The restart may show whether those late passages become a more permanent feature of Atalanta’s game.
International signs of encouragement
- De Ketelaere looked sharper with Belgium, particularly from a physical perspective.
- Nikola Krstovic scored twice for Montenegro.
- Franck Kessie led Ivory Coast with playmaking responsibilities.
Those are encouraging signals for a side that needs to create more as well as score more. Venezia and Pafos will not define Sarri’s entire spell at Atalanta, but they can shape the mood around a project that is asking for patience while demanding a response.
