Collecchio, 31 January 2026 – Head Coach Carlos Cuesta spoke at the press conference ahead of Matchday 23 of the Serie A Enilive season against Juventus, held at the Mutti Training Centre in Collecchio.
THE MATCH AGAINST JUVENTUS
“We’ve prepared for this match, and we’re fully aware of the circumstances we’ll be playing in. We’re going in with a clear idea of the game we want to play. We know what it represents, and we are proud to represent Parma every day, especially on the nights when we have the chance to share our passion with our fans. Our aim for the match is to give it our all and to play the game in the way we want. We know the talent Juventus have and the opportunities present in every team. Every team has strengths and weaknesses. Juventus have a lot of individual and collective strengths, including fluidity in possession and a constant drive to attack spaces and create chances. They have lots of playmakers. Defensively, they are also strong and can adapt to their opponent. But we will try to play our game, focusing on our strengths. We need to maintain solidity, determination, and compactness to get to where we want to be. At the same time, we must show character, quality, and awareness of what to do to bring the points home.”
SPALLETTI AND JUVENTUS’ QUALITIES
“They are a very strong team, and we also have to play really well tomorrow. There will be moments when we can play closer to their goal, and we will try to take advantage at the right time. Other moments will require us to be compact and protect our goal, so we must perform well in all situations. We need to be humble, show awareness, and maturity to read the different situations and always do what’s right. We’re going to have to adapt to different scenarios, and we must take it to the level we want. Spalletti? For me, it’s not about surprising the opponent or their coach. Our players must perform better than theirs to get the result. When I approach a match, I focus on helping my team play as well as possible. Spalletti has enormous experience, knowledge, and insight, and he is helping Juventus grow significantly. We are aware of what we need to do tomorrow to deliver a great performance and take the points.”
THE THREE NEW SIGNINGS
“Our three new players are available. It has been a week of changes: two important players for us, Patrick and Milan, have left. Patrick gave it his all on the field in every match, doing what he could to push the team forward, and Milan had an incredible mindset, always striving to help. Their contribution was very important. Now we have Nesta, Hans, and Franco ready to help us, and they’ll be there tomorrow. The transfer market? The Club is always working to make both the team and the Club as strong as possible. My focus remains the same: to help this incredible group of players reach their goals and continuously raise their performance levels. These three have different qualities and can add value in their own ways; that’s why they are here, and we are confident.”
HANS’ ROLE
“Nicolussi Caviglia is a versatile player. He can play as a double pivot, a defensive midfielder, or a single playmaker. He reads the game well, can push the ball forward, and has qualities that can help us. Our midfield is complete with plenty of different strengths in there, and he can help us reach our potential. As a central midfielder, he has played this role before, so I’m sure of his abilities. Running into the box is all about timing, so if he advances the ball effectively, it gives more time to reach the area. He can help both directly, with shots from distance, and against low blocks, using his strengths to create opportunities and progress the ball for our forwards.”
FROM NESTA TO CARBONI
“Nesta with Pellegrino? It comes down to whether that’s the right choice to win the game; that’s the main factor. In certain situations against a low block, you need players in the box to win headers, making it possible for them to play together. He has unique qualities, a lot of growth potential, and we will help him deliver immediate performances. Carboni? We have versatile players who can help; they can cover different roles and adapt intelligently, which is a positive.”
THE DETERMINATION TO ADAPT
“Throughout the season, we’ve become more adaptable because it was crucial for our circumstances. Sometimes it has been a strength, giving us flexibility and resilience. The context we play in can’t be changed, but we can find the right solutions to it. That’s the mindset we’re going into tomorrow with. Am I the oldest in the group? Age doesn’t change my role. I find this to be a united, focused group, very aware of their objectives. Tomorrow is a great opportunity to deliver a performance we can be proud of and, above all, to bring home points.”
MARIANO TROILO’S GROWTH
“It is very important that a player not only knows, but also feels that he has a unique development path. It’s about more than just minutes on the pitch. We all need to use our qualities to improve. Troilo is evolving, both personally and professionally. When you do everything to improve and adapt to new situations, you can reach your full potential. He has grown and has been important in high-stakes gaes, like against AC Milan, Atalanta, and Napoli. He is on his path to grow, to help the team, and we are proud of his development.”
