BERGAMO – Never underestimate your opponent, but respect them to face them with the right attitude and focus. Maurizio Sarri, in his pre-match press conference on the eve of the first leg of the Conference League playoffs, had clear ideas about the match against Israeli side Hapoel Tel Aviv. "We weren't lucky with the draw because Hapoel has great quality, and I expect a tough match. I hope Atalanta enters the pitch with the right determination, keeping in mind that the match must be managed over 180 minutes. The feeling is that the team is gradually improving, and I hope there's plenty of room for improvement. We've started on a different path, and it's clear we're building, with players returning from the World Cup." He then added that "Hapoel have decent pace, they can also make long counterattacks, and they're much stronger than you might think. It's our first competitive match, and we're paying for the extra work we put in during preparation, but we're ready to give our best.".
The atmosphere of trust is fueled by the players' strong sense of belonging, which resonates with the fans and the club. De Ketelaere, who is trying to recover for his league debut, and Ahanor, as well as Kamaldeen Sulemana, are confirmed as unavailable. Therefore, the starting lineup is expected to be the same as for the Bortolotti Trophy, with Zalewski starting right winger. "I've favored players who have had a slightly longer run together. With the upcoming fixtures in sight, we'll evaluate possible rotations," said Sarri. He was positive about the individuals. "Scalvini and Kossounou have performed well in the last two games. Samardzic really likes his new position; perhaps in a few years he'll be able to play as a defensive midfielder as well. Djimsiti made a choice; no one would have questioned it. Kristensen is potentially strong, he comes from a three-man defense and will need time to get used to the mechanics." Praise was also lavished on Ederson, who joined him at the press conference. "Working with him is very rewarding, as is the entire team. I expect him to have a lot of room for growth." He closed with a dribbling on the transfer market. "I have four games to think about in 12 days; Giuntoli will be the one to seize any transfer opportunities.".
José Ederson said he was very happy to have stayed at Atalanta. "It was the best choice. I knew I'd always have the club behind me. And I thank the fans who have always supported me. Reaching significant numbers in terms of appearances with this jersey makes me proud. I play in a slightly different position; last season I focused more on coverage, now I hope to help in the offensive phase." A look at the home game against Hapoel: "We don't start with the idea of being the favorites; our opponents will be physically better, but we want to win by a good margin ahead of the return leg." Wearing the captain's armband? "I'm happy about it; it's a sign of responsibility, but there's always Marten de Roon." Objectives? "We have the potential to be at the top, but we have to realize it by continually improving.".
