Maurizio Sarri warns Atalanta to ‘remain humble’ in the Conference League against Pafos, is glad to reunite with David Luiz, but admits ‘perhaps leaving Chelsea was an error.’
It kicks off at the New Balance Arena at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).
Their run of three straight Serie A defeats was ended by a 3-1 win over Venezia on Monday, despite the late Eljif Elmas red card, but this left precious little time to prepare for the Conference League opener.
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Sarri wants humble Atalanta
BERGAMO, ITALY – AUGUST 20: Atalanta BC coach Maurizio Sarri looks on during the UEFA Conference League 2026/27 Play Off Round First Leg match between Atalanta BC v Hapoel Tel Aviv at Gewiss Stadium on August 20, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“We had to get it done quickly, we only managed 35 minutes in training this morning,” Sarri told Sky Sport Italia.
Pafos dropped down from the Europa League preliminary rounds, where they were eliminated by RB Salzburg, but are not to be taken for granted.
“I expect opponents with great technical ability and we will try to cause them problems. The main issue is to remain humble, because humility is perhaps the most important element in modern football, because any team can cause you issues.”
BERGAMO, ITALY – AUGUST 23: Maurizio Sarri, Head Coach of Atalanta celebrates after the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and US Sassuolo at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on August 23, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Giorgio Scalvini, Franck Kessie, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Isak Hien, Odilon Kossounou and Raoul Bellanova are all out of action this evening, so the choices in defence are limited.
“This evening we’ll start with these four at the back, then we’ll evaluate for the future, but it is important to focus on tonight’s game.”
Tonight is a reunion with David Luiz, who is continuing his career at Pafos after working with Sarri and winning the Europa League under him at Chelsea.
BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 12: Atalanta BC coach Maurizio Sarri reacts during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Parma Calcio at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on September 12, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“I will say what David Luiz already knows, which is that I remember him with great affection and as a great player too,” Sarri told Sky Sport Italia.
“Aside from his talent as a player, I will always remember him as a lovely person.”
David Luiz said that he was upset when the coach walked away after just one season at Chelsea for a return to Italy with Juventus, so does Sarri ever regret that decision?
“We did win the Scudetto in Turin, but perhaps leaving the Premier League was an error.”