Collecchio, 22 March 2024 - Statements from defender Lautaro Valenti, issued at the end of the friendly match between Parma and FC Lugano.

'I'm doing well, and I'm very happy to be back playing after a year. It's tough mentally, after a year. If you're not mentally strong, it's difficult, but I'm genuinely happy. A month after the injury, my son was born, and my mindset changed. I went on vacation, a peaceful period that helped me to reflect a bit. Everything changed with my son, and I'm more focused than before. The feelings today? Nothing has changed from when I used to play before. Today, I know I cannot compete for a starting position; the team is doing well, and we're too strong. We're at the top of the table, and the mentality has changed from last year; we feel like a family. And we've promised to reach Serie A, so we know we have to stay there. The friendly match? Even though it's a friendly, we always have to win. There's competition within the team, and we want to give our all because each of us wants to prove that we're available for the coach. The toughest moment? It was the injury itself, that moment there.

And to think that the whole journey would be long before returning. The hardest thought was that, after the surgery. I was playing well; the injury hit me, and it was a tough time. Everything changed with my son, the mindset first and foremost, which was where I needed to grow. The mindset to come back stronger than before. The team I see today has changed its mentality; the coach has shown confidence in everyone. Before, we had confidence, but this year even more so. I repeat, we feel like a family trying to reach Serie A. It's difficult to come back, but I wanted to be sure and focused. This is to safeguard the knee and avoid another injury. I am strong, and I have worked in these months to come back stronger than before. The championship? We take it game by game; we know there are 8 finals left. We've said it since the first day, and we only count that they're all finals. One less every week. The captain's armband today? I know the armband is very important; on the field, we all feel equal. The armband doesn't change anything; for me, the coach's trust was a reassurance. And this makes me feel happy and content.'