Parma, 11 October 2023 - The words of Crociati coach, Fabio Pecchia, at the conferment ceremony of Carlo Ancelotti’s honourary degree in the Paganini auditorium in Parma. 

ANCELOTTI IS AN ICON

“Ancelotti has always been an icon, for the way he handles things and the way he coaches. Today we had training, but this was something more important so it was moved to the afternoon. It was worth the effort to be there. A huge feeling and a beautiful thing to witness. Ancelotti is the best, I don’t know if there will be another to do what he has done. He is universally loved, he is an icon for young players and coaches alike, for me he has always been an icon. How he handles defeats, this is the kind of balance that makes him such a great person and coach. Studying the Champions League? We should spend time with him regardless of how his team plays, to see how he manages. And how he maintains a certain level regardless of the environment. I would like to emphasise that I have always liked him as a person, not only when he won but also when he went through difficult times, like at Juventus, always maintaining a certain calm.

BENEDYCZAK’S GROWTH

“Benedyczak like Bellingham? I’m happy with Adrian, without making too many comparisons. He is young, like the rest of our group. He has to keep working, doing well, I like to see him in different positions, even if he feels like a striker. He manages to score anyway, also attacking from the wings. He can be useful in many ways”.

THE BREAK AND COMO

“The league campaign means thinking about winning as much as possible, everyone expected Parma not to lose… I want to say that we have played many good games, even against Venezia we played well against a team with strong, physical players. It’s necessary to know how to accept things, both wins and losses. After every game, it’s necessary to put it behind you and look to the future. We will face the next games just like we’ve faced the last three months. The lads on international duty? Their absence can’t be underestimated, but we have to play and there are many players in the squad. I will use the players available. Como? It will be a game to play and win three points, knowing very well that we have opponents that want to beat Parma”.