Collecchio, 29 December 2023 - One is Spanish, from Barcelona, inventive and fantastical. The other Romanian, from Vladimirescu in the heart of Transylvania. For this reason he moves fast through the shadows. Adrian Bernabé and Dennis Man have a 'special connection', as the 2001-born midfielder showed us with the magic backheel that freed up Dennis to equalise against Ternana.

A “connection” between the two players but also with the growth of Parma and with the city. This ever-stronger connection is evidenced by the statistics from the start of the season.

Dennis Man has provided 3 of his 4 assists to Adrian, including the last 2 against Ternana and Brescia. A strong bond, on and off the pitch. Man is also edging closer to being the league's top scorer: so far he has bagged 8, behind Casiraghi (11, Sudtirol) and Coda (9, Cremonese). Not only this. In the performance rankings that combine goals and assists, the Romanian is second, behind Casiraghi: 12 for the Gialloblù and 14 for the Sudtirol forward. This affirms a high-class first half of the season. The last game, against Brescia, Dennis had the most touches in the opposition half (4, like Bernabé), created the most chances (4), and made the most passes in the Brescia backline (26)

In terms of dribbling, another one of his specialities, he completed 7 against Brescia, at least 2 more than any of his teammates. He also sits at fourth in the league table for most dribbles completed (27). Sibilli is first (33), second Casiraghi and Vazquez with 31, third are Johnsen and Felici on 29. 

Adrian Bernabé echoes him in numbers and emotions: he equalled his record for goals scored in a single Serie B season (5, like in 2021/22). The Spaniard has scored 6 goals from outside the area (6 of his 11 for an average of 54.4%), at least two more than any other player since his debut in February 2022.

The Spaniard is the top Parma player in the league rankings for chances created: a total of 29, a testament to how he is a total threat to the opposition. And, with his 5 goals scored in active play, he is the third top of the Gialloblù behind Man and Benedyczak (7). 

A special connection, one goal after another. Bernabé and Man are the productive spearhead of the collective effort, helping one another with great sacrifice. Now, we wait for the next test, another challenge to overcome together: the game against Ascoli at the Tardini.