(PRIMASPORT) AMSTERDAM – Coach Maurizio Sarri has called up 22 players for Ajax-Atalanta, the second match of the Conference League season, scheduled for 9:00 PM on October 22 at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam, where 2,300 Bergamo fans will be in attendance. In addition to Obric, who will play alongside Kristensen at center back, 18-year-old Isaac Isoa, also a center back, 20-year-old midfielder Sergej Levak, and 19-year-old winger Javison Idele have also been called up.
In the pre-match press conference, Maurizio Sarri He had Raoul Bellanova alongside him. And the coach was asked how much Ajax inspired him. “It's hard to say, but I studied them and I think I've taken something away from them.” What kind of match will it be? “They're a technical team, it's clear that there will be some tactics. They have great technical and ball-handling skills. We play in a beautiful environment and we hope to be the most technically gifted. Our problem is consistency within and between matches. We alternate good moments with less good ones,” observed Sarri, who believes it's premature to call Ajax-Atalanta a pre-match final, even though the Dutch team has great successes under its belt. “We know we need to get 13-14 points to avoid the playoffs and reach the round of 16.” When pressed on the possibility of Charles De Ketelaere starting on the bench, Sarri replied that it happens to everyone sooner or later, but renewed his faith in the Belgian talent, who hasn't yet fulfilled his potential. “If we want him to make a difference, we need to support him right now.” The Dutch press focused on Atalanta's style of play and their penchant for ball possession. Sarri's response left no doubt. "In football, everything's fine if everything goes well. I prefer a team that maintains possession." As for the players unavailable, the coach admitted that there are difficulties, "but we need to focus on the players who are playing, not the injured ones. The number of players unavailable is related to the teams that play in Europe and send their players to their national teams." Too much criticism? "I'm not interested. Klop said that you can't judge a coach in his first year. I'll keep working," Sarri concluded.
Raoul Bellanova He credits the coach for the improvement he's seen after a disappointing season. "I've had Sarri's trust, and I have to thank him for my positive performances," he emphasized, saying he's also willing to play central defender if asked. The role of favorite assigned to Atalanta. Is that a burden or a stimulus? "It's a long competition where every prediction is a gamble. We have to show what we've worked for." How do you adapt to Sarri's style of football? "I came to the training camp with the goal of trying to give my all and prove that I can play with a back four. We're all trying to adapt as best we can. We have to start again from the last 30 minutes against Milan to be able to perform like this throughout the match." Bellanova's final thought went to the crowd of Bergamo fans present at the Johan Cruijff Arena. "We have to thank them because they're always there, no matter the result. They deserve a victory in Amsterdam.". (PRIMASPORT)