Collecchio, 21 August 2024 – Matteo Cancellieri spoke during the press conference held in the Mutti Training Center's press room in Collecchio, with Sporting Director Mauro Pederzoli in attendance.

Mauro Pederzoli’s welcome address: “Thank you for being here. It’s always a pleasure for me to present a player because anyone who arrives here has been wanted and sought after, Matteo in particular. He’s a young player with an already significant history, entering his fourth season in Serie A despite his age. We know Matteo well, we wanted and pursued him. It wasn’t easy. In the end, we managed to sign him, and we are convinced he will make a big impact because he has everything needed to be important for Parma Calcio. He has quality, is young, fresh, enthusiastic, and possesses everything required to excel in this team. It’s a great pleasure for me to present and introduce him today.

GIALLOBLU DEBUT

“Did I expect to debut just a few days after arriving? No, I immediately joined the team’s training sessions from the start. There’s always anticipation, and I hoped to participate in the first game. When we train, we always hope to be involved in the match and get on the field. In any case, what was important for me was to understand the Parma environment, see the stadium, and get to know my teammates'.

YOUNG AND QUALITY TEAM

“Last year I watched a few games, and seeing the guys again in the match against Fiorentina, I realised that it’s a young team with many quality players. There is a good atmosphere, and I immediately felt part of the group, which is very important to me. I believe it’s a bright, young, and strong team. What do I expect from this season? Generally, I never look too far ahead. I think it’s right to work day by day and try to improve continuously based on the coach's requirements and how I can help the team. Despite its youth, the team has confidence and calmness in its work, which I think is very helpful. My first approach with Pecchia? We’ve talked about my movements and positioning. I’m trying to understand, through training and by watching my teammates, who know the game better, what the coach wants from me as a winger and as a second striker. The environment is serene, I felt comfortable from the start, and there’s no difficulty in learning'.

THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME

“Why did I choose Parma? I believe this is the right place at the right time for me. This is a strong team with many young players, and I think it’s the right place to have an important season and contribute to achieving the club’s goals. Integrating immediately is never easy, but in such a young group, there’s great understanding. On the field during training and throughout the day, I’ve gotten to know the others better, and it hasn’t been difficult to feel part of the group. What convinced me to come here? I’ve always been convinced. My willingness has always been there. After speaking with Pecchia, I became even more convinced'.

AT PECCHIA’S DISPOSAL

“I can play both on the right and left wings or as a second striker; it doesn’t matter to me. My footballing role models? I aim high and look up to Mbappé and Ronaldo. I always try to learn something from these great champions. The role of a striker? I think I can play that role. I’ve done and tried it before. I need to understand Pecchia’s demands and what movements he wants from me in that role, but I’m willing to play as a striker as well. I’m available to the coach. As a forward, scoring goals or providing assists is my goal. What are my objectives in this regard? The more goals and assists I can contribute, the better it is for both me and the team.”

WORKING DAY BY DAY

“What are the ingredients for staying up this year? I believe it’s important to work with calmness, without setting overly ambitious goals, and to move forward steadily with our concepts and understanding of how to perform on the pitch. Doing this with the right mindset and tranquillity makes everything easier. I focus on day by day'.

INTENSE TRAINING AND SERENE CLIMATE

“What are the differences between Pecchia’s training methods and those of others? The training sessions are intense. We work with joy and calmness but take it seriously, which is what matters. Did I hope to stay at Lazio? I decided to leave, so no. Regarding last season at Empoli, there are many dynamics in football, and anything can happen. I had difficulties understanding what the coach required, and I wasn’t able to express myself on the pitch as he wanted, which certainly disadvantaged me. However, I don’t think it was a lost year. I learned a lot and gained valuable experience'.