Maurizio Sarri confirms Atalanta will go into a training retreat after suffering a 3-0 home defeat to Parma: 'I didn't expect this group to be so fragile.'
Atalanta lost 3-0 at home against Parma on Monday, extending their winless streak in Serie A to four matches.
La Dea has only earned 11 points in ten league games this season, winning just one of their last five Serie A matches.
BERGAMO, ITALY – OCTOBER 25: Maurizio Sarri, Head Coach of Atalanta BC looks during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Frosinone Calcio at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia on October 25, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images)
"The first 40 minutes were high-level; we had the game in our hands. Then we conceded from a set piece, and we paid a high price. It's hard to accept that second half," Sarri said at full time, via Gazzetta.
"I apologise to the fans and the club; we can't be so fragile in defence and in our heads. It's better to go on a training retreat for some days."
Atalanta players were loudly booed by their fans at full time. This coming Thursday, they'll host Kairat in the Conference League.
"It wasn't about Parma's courage; it was about our fear," Sarri said.
BERGAMO, ITALY – NOVEMBER 02: Nikola Krstovic of Atalanta BC is challenged by Abdoulaye Ndiaye of Parma Calcio 1913 during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Parma Calcio at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia on November 02, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
"We controlled the game, and we had time to turn things round. On the other hand, we got irritable, and that's how it ended. I feel indebted to this club; I'm happy here, and I want to come out of this difficult moment. Honestly, I didn't expect this fragility from the group, while other difficulties were predictable."
Sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli also spoke to reporters at full time, confirming the decision to send the team into a training retreat.
"We apologise to our fans; the second half was unacceptable," he said.
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – OCTOBER 22: Maurizio Sarri, Head Coach of Atalanta BC, looks on before the UEFA Conference League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between AFC Ajax and Atalanta BC at Johan Cruijff Arena on October 22, 2026 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
"Now we need to keep our heads down and keep working hard. Starting tomorrow, we'll all head to training camp."
Both Sarri and Giuntoli joined the club last summer, and when the director was asked whether the coach is under scrutiny, he replied honestly: "We are all under scrutiny these days."
Atalanta currently sit 13th in the Serie A table with just 11 points in ten matches. They have scored 16 goals so far and conceded 20.
