Sarri pleased with Atalanta progress, but fury at ‘absurd’ fixture list

Atalanta head coach Maurizio Sarri voiced satisfaction with his team's performance following a 3-1 UEFA Conference League victory against Pafos FC on October 15, 2026. Early first-half goals from Eljif Elmas, Giacomo Raspadori, and Gianluca Scamacca secured the win before Biel scored a late consolation for the Cypriot club. Sarri noted that the tactical switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation helped his squad maintain control and create attacking chances.

Despite the victory, Sarri expressed strong frustration over an "absurd calendar" after Raspadori suffered a suspected relapse of a flexor injury. The forward adds to an extensive injury list that includes Giorgio Scalvini, Franck Kessie, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Isak Hien, Odilon Kossounou, and Raoul Bellanova. Sarri called on UEFA, FIFA, and the Players' Association to address the demanding schedule that causes frequent muscular problems.