Maurizio Sarri said at Zingonia before Atalanta's Serie A game against Parma on Monday that his side want to build "the foundations for a new, great cycle" and must not underestimate Parma. The match at the New Balance Arena kicks off at 20:45 CET.
Sarri sets out Atalanta aim
Sarri said: "We’re ambitious and we want to build the foundations for a new, great cycle. It’s not an easy path, starting again after another high-level cycle, and it’s getting more complicated with the injuries. But our desire is to have a great cycle like the one before."
Atalanta are 11th on 11 points. Their last home game was a 4-4 draw with Frosinone, and they then drew at Fiorentina on Thursday.
Injuries before Monday's game
Raoul Bellanova, Gianluca Scamacca, Franck Kessié, Sead Kolašinac, Isak Hien, Odilon Kossounou and Giacomo Raspadori are all out. Kristensen was injured early on in Florence.
Sarri said: "The fans whistled at the end out of disappointment after the draw, but they helped us for 95 minutes. We need the support of our people, and I’m convinced they’ll give us a big hand."
Sarri warns against Parma
Parma are 18th on five points after Wednesday’s 0-0 draw with Udinese.
Sarri said: "Parma are one of those teams near the bottom who have conceded fewer goals. It’s certainly not an easy game. It will be the usual battle, where we need to go out humble and, above all, clear-headed, ready for any difficulty. Parma are in that position only because they convert a very low percentage of the chances they create. They’re dangerous, and they have a good low block in a 5-3-2 where they catch you on the counter. In Serie A now, every game is tough."
Running numbers and defensive line
Sarri said: "Our running volume is high. Against Frosinone, we had 41 minutes of effective playing time compared with our average of 59, and in 18 minutes less we produced the same numbers as in other games. On the injuries, we’ll assess them. I hope to get someone back sooner, because three games in six days is a lot. The team needs to be shorter and more compact, less open when opponents come forward. We also need a higher defensive line. At the back, everything has been turned upside down because so many different players have played there."
