Collecchio, 2 May 2026 – Here is what Carlos Cuesta had to say ahead of Parma’s clash away to Inter on matchday 35 of Serie A:
THE AIM IS TO KEEP IMPROVING, HAPPY FOR CHIVU
“The team is aware of the challenge we face tomorrow and of the importance of being at 100% to be competitive. We’re ready, with the same mentality of working hard and doing things in the best possible way. We really enjoyed being alongside our fans yesterday, feeling their support and seeing their enthusiasm during training, and tomorrow we hope to give everything to put in a great performance and achieve a positive result. Changes in the line-up? There have been many changes this season. I remember the press conferences at the start and midway through the season when I was asked about a back four or a back five. During the season, we’ve been on a journey where our identity and approach have constantly evolved. When we found balance and stability, which brought results, we stuck with that path. Now, we must continue to pick up points and try to raise our level.
“Chivu’s Parma? He laid foundations that were important in achieving safety last season. Many of those points and certainties helped us build our path this season. Credit goes to him and the club for starting this process. We’ve tried to grow, give our best every day, and keep moving forward.
“External opinions and comments are beyond your control. I imagine Chivu is also focused on working as well as he can. I’m happy for him, even though I don’t know him personally, for what he’s achieving at Inter. Tomorrow will be a game where we’re all fully focused on getting the result. It’s a special occasion for them, but for us it’s a chance to go to San Siro, face a top team, be ourselves at the highest level, and grow with the aim of showing what we can do in such a context.”
ANALYSIS OF THE SEASON AND THE PRESENT
“What kind of season has it been? When I look back, I focus on what I could have done better, and I also analyse the things we did well. But my personality always pushes me towards what’s coming next, so I’m only thinking about Inter, about preparing the team in the best possible way, because there’s still a lot to play for. There are four games left and we want to be as competitive as possible to finish as high as we can in the table. That starts with our preparation, with the day-to-day reality, with our mentality and our quality of play. This week has been no different, with the aim of arriving in the best possible condition for tomorrow.
“The future? What we’ve been doing is linked to one thing: creating continuity, but at the same time being able to achieve results in the present. There will be evolution, but always focusing on the present, on this season, and on finishing as high as possible in the table. Meeting with the board? We have always been fully aligned with the club from day one. Meetings are regular and normal. There has always been unity, trust and a sense of togetherness – it’s part of how we experience this process together. Right now, our focus is on the present, and whatever needs to be done for the future will be done.”
ESTÉVEZ’S ROLE
“He’s been important, as the captain (Enrico Delprato) said. He has contributed both on and off the pitch, and with his presence and quality he has supported and improved those around him. All decisions made together with the club will be aligned. Right now, we are focused on the present, which is the most important thing.”
COMPETITION AMONG THE FORWARDS
“I see Pellegrino working every day with the same mentality, with the desire to improve, influencing others with his quality and scoring goals in training. He prepares in the best way to do what he has done throughout the season. At many key moments this season, Pellegrino has made an incredible contribution, not only in terms of goals, but also with his presence. He’s helped the team progress, including defensively. He’s taken on tasks that involved him moving him away from the penalty area, where he feels most comfortable.
“Internal competition is an extra stimulus to raise the bar, and he handles it calmly. He shows how hungry he is to improve every day. Ondrejka and Oristanio? The competition is strong, especially in those positions. In a 5-3-2, you have many attacking players, and there is a lot of competition with this system, so we choose one or the other depending on the context of the game. We know their qualities and their talent, and they can help us from the start or coming off the bench. For that reason, we try to make the right decisions at any given moment.”
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE AT ITS BEST
“Was PSG vs. Bayern a perfect match? There is no such thing as a perfect match. Football is a game of mistakes, but within imperfection there is also beauty. I really enjoyed the game. It could be compared to the World Cup final between Argentina and France in Qatar: there was complete uncertainty, and every attack could have led to a goal. The danger was always there.
“The approach is similar to Italian teams, but the technical quality of the players allowed them to beat the press and create danger. Here we have two teams who stick closely to their philosophy and mentality to get results. For me, it was a wonderful game, and the same goes for the other Champions League semi-final. As a coach, you can take a lot from them. The return legs will also be spectacular.”
