Sarri hails Kessie’s personality as Atalanta midfielder declares himself ‘always ready’ for San Siro return

Maurizio Sarri commended Franck Kessie's personality following Atalanta's 3-1 win against Venezia, which marked the end of a three-game losing streak. Kessie, who returned to Atalanta from Milan after a five-season stint, scored his first Serie A goal since his comeback. Coach Sarri highlighted Kessie as a rare player with a great personality who contributes significantly to the team's dynamics.

The Ivorian player downplayed his individual efforts, emphasizing the team's importance and readiness. Atalanta took the lead twice, with Kessie and Nikola Krstovic scoring in the first half, but Sarri expressed dissatisfaction with their performance in the second half, particularly their lack of aggression. Eljif Elmas was sent off for a reckless challenge, eliminating him from Sunday's match against Milan.

The team also faced losses of Raoul Bellanova and Giorgio Scalvini during the second half. Sarri started the match with a 4-2-3-1 formation, moving to a 4-3-3 as they struggled to maintain control in the second half. He wants his team to approach future games with the same first-half intensity, especially considering their upcoming Conference League match against Pafos on Thursday.