Collecchio, 4 November 2023 - Coach Fabio Pecchia spoke in a press conference at the Mutti Training Center in Collecchio ahead of the match against Sudtirol.

THE FANS SUPPORT AGAINST SUDTIROL

“Sudtirol is no longer a surprise, we saw them last year. They have a clear philosophy and a Coach that really embodies it. And I’m saying this with great admiration since the club won Serie C with this philosophy and a director with clear ideas. The side wants to defend right to the last and make the most of these situations, to play on the restart. They do so with great quality that they showed in their good season last year. We have never scored against Sudtirol, we scored a point in both games. If we weigh up the situation, Sudtirol is ahead of us and we have to go and get something. The important thing won’t be keeping possession, but scoring goals and winning. Especially in this game. It is yet another challenge against a team, and I say this with great admiration, that wants to defend itself with great strength, great energy and great conviction until the death. We have to do things properly if we want to do well, tomorrow we will need our fans even more because the game will require great patience. The aim will be to score goals, not to keep possession.'

PATIENCE AS THE MAIN WEAPON

“Patience is linked to playing our game, a violent approach will be necessary. And we must be insistent. We’ve done it in every game, even against Lecce, and the intention is to do so against Sudtirol as well. We are well aware that if you can't break the deadlock or get the result, you have to keep playing the game. Regardless of what we will face, our approach must stay the same. Sudtirol almost went to the final last year, they haven’t changed much and the coach himself has added some quality players who embody the team's philosophy. Parma the strongest in the league according to Bisoli? I don't care what others say, we are one of twenty Serie B teams, the championship will speak for itself at the end of the season.'

SQUAD CONDITION AND FORMATION CHOICES

“Osorio will be out, though it is nothing too serious. I have many doubts about the line-up because they are all playing well and want to play. They are all ready and this makes my job even harder. I am happy about it, whoever goes out on the pitch will have the right energy”.

POST-LECCE

“The match against Inter wrung our necks, we went into extra-time, they pushed us a lot, it was very stressful. The match against Lecce took a lot out of us, for tomorrow’s match I will take the Lecce match into account but also what happened months ago after San Siro. They are matches which give you self-esteem, enthusiasm and confidence. But as I said in the post-match press conference, we made some mistakes, and there are situations which we have to work on. Attitudes and moments in the competition that must serve us for the future. Yes to self-esteem, confidence and awareness but also the right self-criticism. When I talk, I talk about the team, not only about departments within the team. If we are pro-active, we’ll manage to score, it’s not only the attackers or the wingers but everyone moving in the same way. When we are compact, the entire defensive phase becomes more solid. It depends on the opponent, on the type of match, playing guys in the best conditions. Tomorrow will be an entirely different game to that in Lecce.”