Sarri: ‘Atalanta more positive than negative, unexpected defeat to Ajax’

Atalanta head coach Maurizio Sarri stated he saw more positives than negatives despite a 2-0 loss to Ajax in the UEFA Conference League on October 22, 2026. The Italian club conceded two late goals in Amsterdam after youth defender Relja Obric lost a duel to Tolu Arodokare, followed by a tight-angle strike from Abdella Ouazane. Sarri noted that he was not expecting a defeat heading into the final five minutes of the match.

Sarri defended his squad after the loss, emphasizing that missed counter-attacking chances were more responsible for the result than defensive errors. Atalanta entered the match without four injured central defenders, leaving Obric to make just his second senior appearance. Despite failing to test Ajax goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen effectively, Sarri urged his team to remain positive about their overall tempo and intensity.