Parma, 4 April 2025 - Comments from Coach Cristian Chivu during the press conference ahead of the game against Inter.

INTER, SPECIAL GAME FOR PARMA

“It's always a big game for Parma against Inter, not for me. I can't deny my past, I spent 13/14 years at Inter and so my esteem and recognition is there, it always will be. But now, I am thinking of Parma, what we have to do and our aims. I've prepared like with every other game since my arrival, we're facing the toughest side in Italy and one of the toughest in Europe. We have to know how to handle this kind of game. The positive thing is that the players understand our position and what we have to do to get points and move up the table, something else is that they've accepted our methods of working and everyone is giving their everything. Parma is a lively side, we want to shift the table and stay in the top division. I see a great reaction from the players and I'm pleased'.

50/50

“You need courage to contain Inter, to be able to understand when to sit deeper. You have to accept everything and understand where they might also give something away. You always start from 0-0, a heads is 50/50. Inter are obviously favourites, but my lads are ready to cause trouble. Over the last few games, the fight for survival is wide open, every side wants to make a change. Being unbeaten at the Tardini helps us a lot. It also helped us to have 1,300 of our fans with us in Verona on Monday, we want to thank them, it was wonderful. We're working at our best to pull out the grit that shows who we are and we want to stay in this division alongside them. We did this in Verona, in the second half against Torino, and we'll do it against Inter - because playing at home in a sold-out ground makes us want to deliver for the fans'.

ORGANISATION OF THE DEFENCE

“Vogliacco and Valenti did well in Verona, I liked their solidity and how they went man-for-man. I have to praise the squad for the organisation and depth and it's to everyone's credit that the two central defenders were never at risk. This is something I always wish to convey: defence depends on the whole side. They (the defenders) have an individual responsibility to solve a problem: winning duels and tackles and concerning themselves with what is going on behind them. If there are forwards attacking the space, they have to know how to handle it. Vogliacco and Valenti stand out but in the end, everyone else's work counts too'.

DENNIS MAN

“Every game has a story and I think this side was build on what was the speed of the wingers. Highlighting how they did well against top sides is important, but it hasn't always been the case. This is why the message has always been that every game has a story of its one and you have to understand when to adapt. You have to always do more and not just one thing. Man is working well, I like him because of his commitment and he is trying to overcome a tough time and I am convinced he will manage to do so, even making a difference and scoring'.

ONDREJKA AND LØVIK

“Ondrejka and Løvik are not long arrived and come from a different culture, I like their easee and I would like the others to pick that up. They are still integrating and trying to show themselves, the language element is a factor even if I always try to translate, but sometimes I forget because if I have to express a concept in Italian, I struggle with the English translation. I've always told them that if they don't understand, to just ask, both in training and afterwards when we have time to talk. They are young and learning what Italian football is like. Løvik will also get his moment since Ondrejka has picked up some minutes'.

RESPONSABILITY

“The table is what is it... being in such an uncertain run with a lack of time can cause problems. Top sides also experience this as they fight for big achievements. Things abroad come with a little less turmoil as there is less pressure and football is still a game and maybe the coach doesn't impact so much on the principles that the players have to adopt, so it's natural for there to be more ease. In Italy, we think of more things that create doubt for the players when they have to take responsibility, for me, you have to have responsibility and ease in football because a side depends on a player and vice versa. I was wondering if it had been better to win two and lose three games in the last six but in the end, we would have the same points. I know I have to show up for them every Monday morning, look the in the eyes and say that not having lost is a starting point. I think it's important to grow both in motivation and trust to get more results'.

TEAM CONDITION AND TWO STRIKERS

“Cancellieri is still out. Bernabé took a knock against Verona and missed the first day back in training but is available now. Two strikers? We've always been concerned about not creating confusion in the set-up. Across the last five games, there's been someone alongside the striker: it creates depth and gives key support. We've tried it during a game, just for a bit, having two strikers is a solution available to us but I don't think I'll start with this option, it could work to change a game'.