Collecchio, 5th October 2024 - Coach Fabio Pecchia's statements during the press conference before the seventh league match against Bologna, held in the press room of the Mutti Training Centre in Collecchio.

VIVID IDENTITY

'How was the week? It was a bit more regular than last week, everyone was available to work and we did it well, also from a mental point of view. I think that when the team is on the pitch and playing, they are doing it to win: the reaction of the last few games is also a very positive aspect. Krause's return to the city? There has been no direct contact with him, but he will probably be closer to the boys tomorrow because he arrived very quickly. His presence will probably be felt in Sunday's game and the boys will like it. The moment we're living? When I arrived at Parma two years ago, the team was under construction, but now we are facing a different championship and everything we have seen in these first games is in line with what the championship will be like. The team has always maintained a lively, precise identity, then there are moments in the game when you need that extra strength to overcome the inertia that has made us waste so much work.'

THE MATCH AGAINST BOLOGNA

'The match against Bologna? I think it's a team that, like the one we saw in the last game, is ready for the Champions League, regardless of who is on the field. It's a very competitive team and I see a team, like the one we saw in Liverpool, with courage and a clear identity. The whole team must be approached with great care. It is a very flexible team, with many rotations, aggressive and with good possession, very similar to what we have seen with Fiorentina in recent years. We must be able to handle both the defensive and, above all, the attacking phase with desire and attention. Both we and they have a clear identity, and on Sunday I expect a very deep reading of the game from mine, with the ability to read many situations in the middle of the field. I expect a very deep and mature interpretation, not only from the outfield players, but from the whole team. How do I live this Emilia derby? There is always a very special emotion and atmosphere around this derby that excites everyone. Returning to the Dall'Ara is always exciting for me, I have a lot of good memories and friends at the club. The best thing is to see a city in celebration, and you could feel that even before the Champions League. The whole city was celebrating going to Liverpool, going out with merit and showing great quality. I think it will be a great atmosphere on Sunday and we want to send a good message to our fans. It will be another beautiful setting and my people want to be there.'

A TEAM THAT WANTS TO PLAY

'The two years of work are an important asset that must not be wasted: we must insist and also find adjustments. The last part of the game against Cagliari was a little less orderly and more confused, but we went forward and conceded goals when the team had found some balance. In the second half, I saw a team with a desire to play, creating a lot and conceding little, despite the three goals. In the second half, when the team regained order and conviction in their play, it was the same as always: they scored two goals, but it could have been more. With the score at 3-2, the will to find a third goal was positive. We must have the strength to change and overcome the inertia of some games, because this one makes us waste the work we have done, in this game as in previous ones'

KEITA, ALMQVIST AND COULIBALY

'Keita? A lot of people are leaving next week, so for us it's always a special break for the national teams. Mandela is working, he needs his time, but I'm convinced he'll give us a big hand because he always gives great signals in his work and in his everyday life. Almqvist? We have alternatives and different solutions for the characteristics, Pontus has always come in with a good attitude and when we are close to the opponent's goal he is very strong in the 1-on-1 and in the last 20 metres. I'm happy that he can also play from the start, there are no complications in that sense: he's ready, as is Cancellieri. Coulibaly? If he plays on the left, I'll only let him attack, but on the right I'll also tell him to defend. We've proved that: the Coulibaly-Cancellieri pairing can be used depending on the game, and Hainaut is also a viable alternative. Delprato can play all 3 roles, they are good and all the solutions are valid. They are ready and nobody has had any problems.'