Parma, Friday 24 October 2025 – Head coach Carlos Cuesta spoke in the Gianfranco Bellè press room at the Ennio Tardini ahead of Parma’s Serie A Matchday 8 fixture against Como.

COMO'S PHILOSOPHY

“We’re expecting a team that wants to play, with the ball at the centre of everything. They build from the back and move forward together, but above all, they look to play over the top. That’s one of their great strengths – moving quickly after winning possession and breaking the press. Como are complete: strong in transition, dangerous from set pieces, and capable of pressing high. We’ll aim to play the game on our terms, at our highest possible level. I expect an aggressive Como that presses to win the ball back fast, looks to counter, and shows tactical flexibility; wingers coming inside, a striker dropping deep. They have a clear identity, but we’ll stick to ours and try to impose it.”

RESPECT FOR CESC FABREGAS

“I had the pleasure of speaking with him about his experience in Italian football – a really valuable conversation. I admire the work he and Como have done: you can see their structure and vision in every match. Tomorrow, though, we face them convinced we can perform well and get a great result.”

PARMA'S PROGRESS

“This is my first pre-match conference here at the Tardini, and it reminds me of my first day with the club. Our goals were clear: first, consolidate our place in Serie A; second, help our players grow. With half the squad new, the key has been building an identity – not just on the pitch, but in mentality and culture.

Against Genoa I saw a team that sacrificed for one another. That’s what makes you stronger. We want to play good football because that’s what brings results, but we must also recognise priorities: defending well builds stability, and stability brings confidence.

We’re not yet the most attractive team in Italy, I know that, but we’re building consistency and chemistry. Offensively we can improve, and that’s my responsibility. Over time, we’ll attack better, at 120%. Our job as staff is to create the best conditions for the players to thrive.

Right now, our priority is to be competitive: competitiveness gives you a foundation. Como are a model in that regard: clear ideas, identity, and consistency. Cesc and his staff deserve huge credit. We’ll give everything tomorrow – those on the pitch and those on the bench. That’s how you make a project grow and make the fans proud.”

CUTRONE, BRITSCHGI, AND BERNABÉ

“Cutrone has been completely committed – full of energy and hunger to help the team.

Britschgi has played on the left for Switzerland before and did well for us, despite limited time to prepare after the international break. He’s growing and will be ready.

Bernabé gives us creativity, goals, assists, and progression. We want him to keep putting himself at the team’s service. It’s our job to build the right environment to maximise his talent, maybe in an even more advanced role in future.”

NICO PAZ

“He’s stopped by defending as a team, through concentration and collective effort. Como have many quality players, not just Nico, so our focus must be on everyone.”

SERIE A MATCHES ABROAD

“Playing league games abroad? We adapt, just as we did when we played in Cagliari on Saturday; we can’t choose, but we’ll always give our best.”

GENOA

“In Genoa, our first-half possession didn’t progress as we wanted – they pressed well and we struggled to create space. But defensively we stayed compact and organised. There were build-up mistakes that stopped us playing higher up, but it wasn’t a defensive approach.

Time is essential; it allows us to reach our objective, which is to consolidate in Serie A. For that, we need results, and we’ll keep pushing to achieve them by playing as well as possible. I feel we’re on the right path.”