Fabio Pecchia, Parma coach, spoke at a press conference on the eve of the match against Lecco. These are his words reported by ParmaLive.com
Tomorrow perhaps the race has a notable specific weight:
“It’s a discussion that always applies. We are at the end of the championship, the margins are reduced. But the matches are made up of the same things, by someone who wants to do and convey this and by the technical-tactical attitude. We must be concentrated only on what we need to do on the field.”
Parma needs a boost from the public more than ever:
“It has always been like this. We want to convey emotions to our people, continuing to develop this beautiful relationship. The climate must be built on the pitch, from the first minute to the end.”
How is the team mentally and physically?
“The group is fine, everyone is available, everyone is involved in the race, even those who will stay at home due to numerical issues. Everyone is inside.”
Can knowing the result of Venezia-Cremonese have an impact?
“We can’t do anything about it, we have to take note of it. Our match is tomorrow, I don’t know to what extent the results of the others will influence it. Our desire and our spirit must always be the same.”
How difficult is it to be a goalkeeper in Pecchia’s game?
“It’s not with or without Pecchia, in modern football the goalkeeper is asked to do more things, it’s a role that is taking a different direction and is developing. He is asked not only to save, but to know how to read the actions and also be a reference. It is the figure that has evolved the most in recent years.”
In the first leg Lecco took advantage of high balls, against Palermo you remained with your very tall attackers:
“It’s a situation that has already been repeated on other occasions. It’s an opportunity to be dangerous even in the defensive phase, we are capable of doing both things, I see the right attitude. In Palermo we could have made better use of a couple of counterattacks.”
Lecco plays in a similar way to the first leg, does it give you an advantage in your choices?
“It’s not a question of being advantaged, beyond the way of playing he has midfielders like Sersanti and Ionita, with the desire to attack and accompany the action, with Degli Innocenti who guarantees dribbling. They have their ideas and do their things well , we will have to do our best.”
Someone talks about a phase of physiological decline, do you agree or do you think it is also for the opponents?
“I don’t care what they say. I don’t let myself be influenced by numbers or results. I see my boys every day. We are healthy, we come from solid performances, as a compact team. We scored little but we had many opportunities, we must continue on this road.”
On such a young group, can it influence the result of Venezia-Cremonese?
“It matters up to a certain point. Only our game counts, we are not in a position to make calculations. We have to play tomorrow’s match with strength and enthusiasm, thinking only of that. Unlike last year we don’t depend on others, we think just us.”
Are you worried about the difficulty in front of goal in the last few matches?
“No. Making the calculation in the short term affects you. Depending on the period taken into consideration you have different numbers. We continue to create a lot, we have had several opportunities to score even when we haven’t scored. However, we need to be more careful when we go to close the door and on dead balls. We need more conviction and determination in that area of the pitch.”
Marotta highlighted the importance of having a hard core of Italians, what do you think?
“I also had the opportunity to work abroad with Benitez, I had many foreigners. You need to have the ability to create a group even in a multicultural team. It may be a longer path, but it is still able to lead to objectives.”
Circati and Osorio have done very well in the last few races, are we moving towards confirmation tomorrow?
“I see the performances, the attitude and the aptitude in the matches but above all in training. Balogh has recovered, he is in good condition, Delprato could also be there, Valenti is a little further back. Regardless of the choices, the team is protagonist and must have the same attitude, with the desire to defend and attack all together.”
Lecco does not build from the bottom, it will be fundamental to win the aerial duels with Novakovich:
“In the last few matches, without getting caught up in the rankings, Lecco had the opportunity to play, with a coach who returned after many changes. The team wants to play, it wants to propose with continuous rotations. It wants to demonstrate that it is still in the championship, then They have a great structure like Novakovich who allows them to raise the ball in difficult situations.”
Three decisive races in one week, how important will resource management be?
“I have the whole group available, I’m happy about this. It’s a demonstration of the work done by the boys, even those who are out. This allows me to face this final rush, with many close matches, however with many players in good condition. I can therefore choose from a wide range.”
Unlike him, for many kids it is the first time they have experienced this ranking situation in such a delicate moment. What did you say to the kids and what do you think are the key aspects?
“Nothing special. Live the game, play with enthusiasm, live and enjoy the moment. As I always say, it’s just a football match.”
Are they renewing Balogh and Bernabé, is yours on the way too?
“It’s right that the club continues its philosophy of providing continuity. I’m pleased, I think it’s a stimulus for the boys too. For me, however, there is a contract.”
