Collecchio, 30 March 2025 - Cristian Chivu's word during the press conference on Matchday 30 for Parma's clash against Hellas Verona. 

THE SQUAD'S MENTALITY

“This team is ready to fight: in the last few days, in the last few weeks and in the last month and a half, the squad have been developing the mentality that I want in terms of personal ambitions and also in terms of Parma. We are determined to stay in this league, we accept where we are and it seems that we have more or less begun to understand and accept the fact that, in order to save ourselves, we must improve, we must focus on taking points most of all, as simply nice football isn't enough to save us. We need a mix of determination, nastiness, competitiveness, hunger and drive to always give that little bit more, and only then will we become the best version of ourselves, not only on matchday, but also throughout the week, because I demand so much every day. The reaction against Monza and against Torino was there, like in the first game I took charge of against Bologna, who are now winning every week, therefore, it wasn't an easy match, however, obviously all matches are different and we need to come to terms with the fact that we are a team fighting for safety'.

PRESIDENT KRAUSE WITH THE TEAM

“We have huge respect for President Kyle J. Krause, as I think the whole of the city of Parma must have as he is a president that has put the club in the best way possible in terms of finance, love and support. We are pleased that he is with us at the moment. I can confirm that he will be in Verona for the match, he will spend the day with us. We are pleased to have him with us as we need him and all our fans. We need everyone to stay behind us and we will give our all right to the end, as we have done so far'.

THE INTERNATIONAL BREAK AND CHOOSING A TEAM

“This is something that happens to many teams, but sometimes it can be problematic. On the other hand, it can cause many great things that can help out. We have worked well and intensely. We have tried to help some players recover and we have managed to do so. In the meantime, however, we have lost other. This is normal for a football team with some issues. We are flexible and ready to accept the reality of the situation. We won't complain and we will go forward looking to find solutions. With regards to these two weeks, I would say that we have worked well. We have been lucky that everyone came back fit from their international commitments, some of whom even featured on the pitch. Others, like Balogh didn't play but he is back with the team, and has been working well. The injured players? Valentin (Mihaila), we know that he won't be coming to Verona, and it is sad because we wanted him to get back as soon as possible. I hope to have him available before the end of the season. Djurić has trained recently and he will be selected and travel to Verona with us. Cancellieri, on the other hand, won't be travelling as the problem he had against Monza hasn't fully gotten better. The condition of those who competed for their country? After the game against Monza, I said that those going to represent their country will be able to detach themselves mentally compared to those who were staying. Playing for your country gives you that extra motivation. The players who have returned are extra-motivated and I love to see this. The others have kepts working hard and I am happy with what I have seen throughout the break'.

BERNABÉ, HERNANI JR AND CIRCATI

“The break was great to get players training more, I'm mostly referring to Adrián Bernabé and Hernani Jr, who trained well in these last two weeks and I am so happy to have them. I'm also pleased that Circati has began working with the team, he is ready but we must wait for the right time after a serious injury like his. It is important that he is available and with the team, on and off the pitch, even though he can't get involved in all training, but it's great to see him on the pitch, knowing that sooner or later, he will get back to 100%. Sohm? I have many ideas before matches, but I try not to confuse anyone. Sohm trained all week with no issues, Hernani Jr too, but he is suspended. Bernabé also trained well like everyone else. Let's see what I choose on Monday at 18:30'

CHIVU'S PHILOSOPHY

“We shouldn't think of what others are doing, we must think of ourselves. From the first day I arrived, the idea was that we can't control anything that isn't based on us. i have always said that we are in control of our destiny, our future and we must do all we can to change it. If we wait for a stroke of luck... it isn't guaranteed that it will go our way. We must believe in luck and then we must work hard throughout the week to then take into the pitch on the weekend to get results. It has been one month and two weeks that I have been trying to get this mentality across and we must be focusing on ourselves, on who we can and must do, this is necessary for our goal. Between saying and doing is a long road... I am aware that it is difficult playing in these circumstances, however we have control of our destiny, therefore I believe it would be a waste of energy to go an think that if we don't do a particular think that we could lose. We should go into games aware of who we are, of our strength, with the right approach, with the right mentality, with sacrifice and with the qualities that will earn us the result'.

THE BALANCE OF THE PLAY STYLE

“The only worry of our play style is confusing players as we have a sort of flexibility and asymmetry on the field, I believe that insisting on changing play style can be confusing. We are who we are, we try and maintain our principles and we look to use our system against the opponent that we are playing. I will evaluate how I've done at the end of the year. I am a perfectionist and I want to win at the end of the day, little 'victories' don't make that happy, I want the players to have this mentality. With regards to improving our play, let's say that I have had a list of goals from when I arrived: from one to then, there is safety, then we start thinking of other things. Obviously we are talking about how to achieve safety and we are working around these sorts of principles and concepts: more determination, humility, sacrifice, teamwork, and a bit more of everything'.

CAMARA & ONDREJKA

“There is always a solution for Camara, like everyone else, it is true that in the last two games he has played little and not at all as we have chosen to bring others on. He has trained well, let's not forget that he has been respecting Ramadan and from a physical and mental point of view, it can be tricky. However, he has always been a solution. Ondrejka? He is becoming part of the group and he is working hard, he has a great team around him who will help him integrate as much as possible. He is working hard to do what is asked of him and I have seen good signs from him. Against Monza, even though he didn't play long, but from what I saw, I was happy and even though he is a young player who has just arrived, I will look to him to give his own contribution.