Collecchio, 9 May 2026 - Coach Carlos Cuesta spoke in the press conference ahead of Parma vs. Roma at the Mutti Training Centre in Collecchio on matchday 36 of Serie A
MANY OBJECTIVES STILL TO ACHIEVE
“The team and I still have many objectives we want to achieve. To begin with, yesterday, we were in a different position in the table than we are today. We want to end the season in the best possible position and earn as many points as possible. To do that, we have to focus on the present. We need to go into the match against Roma, seeing it as an opportunity. They’re in good form, and they’ve been winning convincingly lately. But we’re going there to compete and bring points home. The squad’s condition? After the Inter game, Bernabé won’t be available, and he will be monitored daily. Oristanio won’t be available either, and his knee injury will also be evaluated on a day-by-day basis. Will I still be the coach next season? Tomorrow I’ll be on the touchline, if everything goes to plan. I’ve answered many questions about the future; the future I’m concerned with is tomorrow. Has the approach changed now that safety has been secured? Nothing has changed. From the first week of pre-season until today, our approach has always been the same: ensuring the team improves and wins matches. Our mentality is the same. Every day we represent Parma. Every day we have a responsibility, every day it’s our privilege to do so, but that privilege comes at a price. And the price is giving 100% in everything we do. For me, though, it’s not a price to pay; it’s just part of professionalism and treating each day as an opportunity. Will Primavera players be involved? Probably yes. Some Primavera players will travel with us, but you’ll know more after the squad list is released.”
ROMA WITH THE ADDED THREAT OF MALEN
“We still have a lot to fight for, and we need to approach the game in a way that will allow us to win. We know their strengths; they’re fairly similar to when we first played them this season, but now they also have an extra player who has been decisive for them: Malen. We have to continue to build on our strengths: staying very compact defensively, staying alert and focused, and playing as a team. In possession, the goal is to continue the progress we’ve shown in recent games; it’s there for everyone to see. Our build-up and possession have at times improved, allowing us to create and score more. At other moments, it hasn’t worked as well, but that’s all part of the process. We want to be as complete as possible in both attack and defence. We cannot compromise on that. We need to perform at the highest level. Defensively, in both structured phases and transitions, we’ll need to be at a very high level to control the match.'
FROM ADRIÁN BERNABÉ TO THE FORWARDS
“Bernabé’s absence? He’s certainly not easy to replace, but we’re fortunate to have versatile players with different characteristics. It allows us to try different things, which is also a positive for us. Can Elphege and Pellegrino play together? They could start together, or we might see only one, or neither at all. We’ve tried it before against Pisa, when they both played, and we got the winning goal, and also against Juventus, so it’s not new for us.”
SASCHA BRITSCHGI’S SEASON
“Sascha’s has had a very impressive season. We have to bear his experience in mind: before arriving here, he had only played three professional matches in his life in the Swiss league, which is certainly not at the level of Serie A. He came here with determination and the quality to positively influence the team. He’s had an incredible impact both defensively and offensively. He’s played in many positions and given us so much. We also changed where Enrico Delprato plays in recent matches, as the four centre-backs were doing really well. Sascha's not playing wasn’t due to any shortcomings on his part. He plays at a very high level. We still have three matches left, and he still has a lot to give us.”
TIME WITH ARTETA: “A BEAUTIFUL AND REWARDING JOURNEY”
'I spent five years with Mikel Arteta; it was a beautiful and rewarding journey, one I’m honoured to have experienced. I could say so much about him that I’d likely never stop. But for me, the key thing has always been having a clear idea of where you want to get to, understanding that it’s a process to get there, and accepting that this process is constantly evolving. As part of that journey, there will inevitably be ups and downs. Even when things look straightforward, it’s still the process that gets you to the end goal. His vision, his mentality, and above all, his courage to do what was right in that moment taught me so much.”
