Sarri anticipates ‘tough’ Hapoel challenge in Atalanta Conference League play-off

Maurizio Sarri expects a demanding evening as Atalanta look to complete their Conference League play-off against Hapoel Tel Aviv on Thursday, with the tie level after a goalless first leg at the New Balance Arena.

With quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb, the coach told Sky Sport Italia that his side must approach the return with belief but without complacency.

“It’ll be a difficult match, we saw that in the first leg, but we have to be convinced we can do it,” Sarri said. “Clearly without becoming presumptuous. We want to play in a European competition. It’ll be tough against a team in great physical condition.”

‘De Ketelaere available but not at full fitness’ – Sarri

Sarri has Charles De Ketelaere back but is undecided on how to use him. “He’s trained very little after the small adductor problem,” the coach said.

“He did half an hour in the league, his usage will have to be partial. I don’t know whether to start him or bring him on, also because we don’t know how long the match will last.”

The centre-forward position is similarly open. “I haven’t decided yet,” Sarri said of the choice between Gianluca Scamacca and Nikola Krstovic.

“They’re doing well and both seem to be improving. Over the season they’ll alternate based on who is in better shape, then we’ll also play them together.”

On the opposition, he anticipated little variation from the first leg. “They gather well and then break well,” he said. “I don’t think they’ll change their attitude much, we’ll see.”

Elyaniv Barda’s side have already eliminated Ludogorets and GKS Katowice to reach this stage, and the return leg will be played at a neutral venue in Hungary rather than in Israel.

Sarri was candid about how far his defenders have to go in absorbing his methods. “It’s still lacking, there’s no point saying otherwise today,” he said.

“The most difficult moment will be when they think they know how to do certain things and instead they still aren’t able to.”