Collecchio, 2 February 2024 - Fabio Pecchia spoke in a pre-match press conference at the Mutti Training Center in Collecchio ahead of the Venezia game.

THE CLASH WITH VENEZIA

“There is the desire to play and the game has come at the right moment. We will face one of the best sides in the league. There will also be a great atmosphere, it's highly anticipated. This is a good thing. Modena? We need to keep that defeat in mind because it can be a lesson to all of us. The squad has prepared and worked well ahead of Venezia, on what has to be done on Saturday, both from the point of view of tactics and mental energy. Everyone is focused on Saturday. I think it will be an important test, mostly for ourselves, because it is a good clash that will put us under the microscope. Three points are always important, but Saturday will not be make or break, it will be a good gauge for us.

Big game? All matches are important, they're all worth three points. Just like Ascoli or Ternana were big games. Saturday is easier to define because everyone knows we are facing a big opponent, but Ascoli and Ternana also proved important. There aren't any first or second-rate games, it will be a good test'.

I tre punti valgono sempre, però sabato non sarà determinante ma una bella prova per noi stessi.

TRANSFER MARKET? GREAT FAITH IN THE GROUP

“Transfer market? I said it after Genoa and I'll repeat it today with even more conviction: there is a strategy, a choice made by the Club that I fully support because we continue to believe in the group and every player. I'll shout it even louder today, I have great faith in the group, even in those who are less involved. There is little else to add about the market...'

STRENGTH IN AND OUT OF THE SQUAD

“I am focused here in Parma, I don't remember the line-ups from Cremona. The same XI could start, like against Modena. I am convinced that we have a capable and competitive group, sometimes I will make formation choices, staying true to our style of play and identity. The squad has the desire to play the game and I want to emphasise the lightheartedness that has brought us this far, with our attitude on the pitch, it is something that must be around the squad. I want to have 23, 24, or 25 players with the same identity, regardless of who goes out on the pitch. There should be an evolution of the entire group, then there will of course be different runs of form for different players. I think the whole group has been on an upward trajectory and when the collective grows in this way, so do the individuals. Squad condition? Everyone is back apart from Ansaldi who will take a bit longer to recover. Delprato and Charpentier are also with the squad'.

VENEZIA AIMING FOR SERIE A

“In the away game, there was a surprise change to the set-up, Venezia was looking for identity and stability. Now they seem more consistent, it will be a game of pace, intensity, and quality, this much is clear. They will come here to compete with players who have had the right experience, have a structure and are backed up by two quality midfielders. They are a squad built on the goal of promotion and have a well-established side, apart from Johnsen leaving. Regarding the evolution of our squad, we need to keep working and believing in our potential. And on Saturday against Venezia, I want even more, I want to be even more convinced of our collective and individual potential, showing it clearly and without pushing too far. Whether we play 90 or 100 minutes, we need to face them the way we know how'.