Parma, 27 December 2025 – Carlos Cuesta spoke after Parma vs Fiorentina, Serie A's Matchday 17 fixture.

“We still have a long way to go; this is only the beginning. Our aim is to keep improving, day by day, because that’s the only way to stay competitive and produce strong performances.

Today the team showed an ability to adapt to different phases of the match. At times it wasn’t the kind of game we wanted: there were moments when it felt like a basketball match, going from one penalty area to the other without any real control of the tempo. At other points the rhythm dropped, but there were also spells of real quality, when we managed to play in the opposition half and attack the goal. That’s how the goal came about.

I take the positives from today, but we know that if we want those moments to happen more often, we have to work hard. We need to use the week to do that and to consolidate our progress. When you concede counter-attacks and transitions while you’re on top, it becomes a problem. After a defeat like the one against Lazio, you look like the worst team in the world, as if the players aren’t committed or are lazy. Today we look like world champions, but that’s not the reality either. There are always good things and always things to improve.

This week is about improving so we can get closer to Sassuolo and build continuity in our results, which is what we want. Circati’s contribution was very important, but in truth everyone played their part, including those who didn’t get on the pitch. What I liked most was the atmosphere in the dressing room and on the bench: the players who weren’t playing were constantly helping and encouraging their teammates. Everyone was involved. One of this team’s great strengths is being a team, both on and off the pitch, and that’s something we want to strengthen and develop further.

There was the option of starting Troilo or Trabucchi, but Enrico (Delprato) wasn’t able to start. We felt Alessandro was the right choice, and that’s why he played. As for wins, we have to win the matches that are still to come, not just the ones we’ve already won. Our mentality has to be to get as close as possible to the maximum result every time; what we’ve done so far is not enough. We have to face Sassuolo with humility, but also with hard work and quality throughout the week to be fully prepared.

Parma’s style of play? Continuity within games is crucial, because consistency allows you to keep the opposition pinned back. Bursts of play are part of football, but even within a single match there has to be a level of consistency that defines you. That will depend on our speed and our ability to create those moments.

With Pellegrino, we know exactly what he brings. Mateo is ready to give everything for the team, with heart, body and soul. He’s very useful when opponents press high, because he gives you an option to play forward, and he has a real instinct for goal. There are aspects we need to work on to help him grow, but that applies to every player. That’s how the team improves.

Once again, what I liked most was the team’s ability to adapt to the different phases of the match. Sørensen has an incredible capacity to repeat efforts, cover ground and help us defensively, whether we’re pressing high or sitting deep. On the ball he gets forward, makes good runs and arrives in the box. Now we have to consolidate our approach so we can achieve continuity in results and performances.

As for my way of managing, to transmit something you have to be yourself. I try to stay balanced, and that balance starts with a clear idea: today we are not world champions. We did some good things, but there are many others we need to improve. The key is to keep perspective and to be clear about what will give us greater consistency and continuity in our results. We’ll work to build on the positives, knowing that Sassuolo will be a huge challenge and that we need to prepare properly.”