Collecchio, 15 December 2023 - Head coach Fabio Pecchia spoke ahead of the game with Cosenza from the press room at the Mutti Training Center in Collecchio.

WINNING IS THE AIM, BUT IT MUST BE EARNED

“The most difficult of the three games (Modena, Fiorentina, Spezia) will be Cosenza. We must play football, want to have fun and have our own identity with a positive and proactive attitude.. We don't think about the two draws and a win, I just focus on the team. We are still in building, there is still a long way to go until the end of the season. Different team, different coach, the environment is the same in Cosenza. For us it is a special day, both for our Club and for our fans (110 years since the founding of Parma Calcio). What better way to celebrate this day with a great performance and a victory. This is the objective and we're working for that. Victories must be earned on the pitch. Cosenza? Much will depend on our attitude; if we manage to impart ourselves on the game and dicate the play then we will determine the outcome. They are at home, started the campaign very well and have some very good performances and important results, despite the current form. Up until the derby, they had had a great start.'

THE INTELLIGENCE OF THE GROUP MUST BE A STRENGTH

'The leader? A group, with many young people, many individualities, lots of potential. But the real leader is the collective. An intelligent group would be the best thing, to have collective intelligence. This is the most important thing, to maintain a certain clarity, the collective must always know who we are and where we want to go, and, above all, know how we want to do it with a certain identity. This is who the leader is, the collective! Fear of Cosenza? I would turn the question around and shift the focus to what we have to do and what to do. Rhythm, this is what we need to be focused on. Quality in our passing, playing with pace, using the quality we have. Lots of intensity both in and out of possession.'

THE SQUAD'S PHYSICAL CONDITION

“How is the group doing? Everyone is fine, in this group the one who is furthest behind is only Valenti, but for physiological reasons. But the others are all fine. Charpentier? Besides the goal, he is providing consistency, not only in training but also in matches. And he's ready. Osorio? Playing for the national team is never easy, the journeys are long and the matches are intense, in addition to the 120 minutes in Florence. But he is in excellent condition, for him it is just energy management. Mihaila? Beyond the trust of the environment and the coach, when players get on the scoresheet it is the maximum expression of trust and awareness.; it shows that they are doing a good job. It is worth mentioning that in the final part of this first half of the season he could be that player to make the real difference. He's with us!'.

THINGS TO IMPROVE ON

'The defence? It doesn't worry me, but the goals conceded do bother me. The extraordinary fact about Sunday against Palermo is that the opponents entered the area only once and we conceded three goals. We must correct this aspect and work on it. Against Palermo, the whole performance must be assessed, not just the final part. That remains in the eyes, hearts and souls, not only of the players, but of everyone. We let out some feelings and big emotions. The team must continue to be clear about the match, this is an aspect that came out in the most complicated moment of the match. We never lost our heads, we never came became disjointed. We take this aspect forward with us; it must continue to be there.'