Opposition analysis: Parma

After a three-week international break, Inter are preparing to return to Serie A action. On 10 October, the Nerazzurri will host Parma at San Siro on Matchday 6, with kick-off scheduled for 18:00. The Meazza is ready to welcome Chivu’s side back for the meeting with the Gialloblù, who arrive with four points from their opening five matches, following one win, one draw and three defeats. Parma secured Serie A survival with several games to spare last season, eventually finishing 13th on 45 points. They have since made a change in the dugouts during the international break, with Alberto Gilardino replacing Carlos Cuesta as head coach.

FORMATION AND STYLE OF PLAY

Over little more than a season, Cuesta shaped Parma into a well-organised defensive side, using a fluid system that alternated between a 3-5-2 and a 3-4-2-1 before dropping into a 5-4-1 out of possession. The approach relied heavily on the physicality and aggression of his players in their own half, with a compact mid-to-low block designed to close spaces and passing lanes before breaking quickly on the counter. The new season, however, brought several changes. The summer transfer window saw Cuesta lose three important players in Suzuki, Circati and Pellegrino, prompting the Spanish coach to rethink the team’s tactical setup. Parma started the campaign with a back four against Cagliari and Juventus, before reverting to a 3-4-2-1 for the following three matches against Monza, Como and Genoa.

Gilardino’s arrival should allow Parma to maintain a degree of tactical continuity. In his most recent Serie A spells with Pisa and Genoa, the new Gialloblù coach built his sides around a back three, looking to play out with the two central midfielders dropping towards the defensive line, the outside centre-backs pulling wide and the wing-backs pushing high to provide width. In attack, Gilardino has often paired a more mobile forward with a physically stronger striker capable of occupying the penalty area, as he did with Gudmundsson and Retegui at Genoa, and Nzola and Moreo at Pisa.

The Biella-born coach did, however, experiment with a 4-3-2-1 in Parma’s friendly against Virtus Entella on 2 October during the international break. Konaté, Diego Carlos, Ndiaye and Carboni formed the back four, with Cremaschi, Ordonez and Fabbian in midfield, while Valeri and Fabbian operated behind Romero, who scored Parma’s opener in a match that eventually finished 1-1. It offered a first glimpse of Gilardino’s Parma: a more flexible side, less tied to a fixed starting shape. While the overall structure may remain similar to Cuesta’s, there could be changes in the way the team build from the back. Parma’s numbers from the opening weeks of the season point to an approach not too dissimilar from last year: an average possession share of 42.6%, 8.2 shots attempted per game compared with 18.2 conceded, and four goals scored in five matches. Gilardino could look to change their attacking approach in search of greater control in possession, making more use of the wide players during build-up, encouraging more runs in behind and deploying quick, skilful players capable of beating their man behind the striker, with the central midfielders ready to make forward runs.

THE START OF THE SEASON

Parma began the campaign with back-to-back defeats against Cagliari and Juventus, failing to score in either match. Their first point arrived on Matchday 3 with a 1-1 draw at home to Monza, before a 2-1 defeat away to Como was followed by their first win of the season. Romero and Almqvist were on target in the 2-1 victory over Genoa at the Tardini, with Parma showing impressive efficiency to claim all three points. The Gialloblù generated just 0.32 expected goals, registered two shots on target and scored twice, while recording only seven touches in the opposition box compared with Genoa’s 19.

Both Parma goals came from quick, direct attacks. Romero’s opener was created with just three vertical passes from defence to attack, before the Argentine forward produced an excellent piece of skill to beat his man in the final third and finish right-footed from the edge of the box. The winner arrived in the 80th minute through Almqvist, again from a direct move up the pitch. The Swede used his pace to break away before finding the net.

Cuesta’s Parma were defined by their directness, looking to turn defence into attack quickly after regaining possession. They were comfortable allowing opponents to have more of the ball before trying to strike on the counter, while also posing a threat from set pieces. Gilardino has had two weeks during the international break to begin shaping a new identity for his side, although he has had to work without six players away on international duty: Mandela Keita (Belgium), Vincent Sierro and Sascha Britschgi (Switzerland), Giovanni Daffara (Italy Under-21s), Dominik Drobnič (Slovenia Under-21s) and Simone Lontani (Italy Under-19s).

KEY PLAYERS

Gilardino has inherited a squad that blends promising young talent with experienced players, all of whom play an important role in Parma’s structure and solidity. At the back, Mariano Troilo and Kevin Carlos provide strength and presence in central defence. Both are physically imposing and strong in the air. On the flanks, captain Delprato operates on the right and Valeri on the left. Both are versatile, energetic players who like to push forward, while remaining disciplined enough to drop back and form a five-man defensive line when required.

Delprato can also operate as the right-sided centre-back in a back three, with Britschgi pushing higher into midfield. Mandela Keita is a key figure in the middle of the pitch, combining quality on the ball with a strong defensive presence. He is effective at winning possession and shielding the back line, while players such as Fabbian and Bernabé are tasked with making forward runs from midfield and attacking space. Further forward, Gilardino can call on El Bilal Touré’s physicality and one-on-one ability, as well as the talent of Simone Lontani. The 2008-born second striker has already scored three goals this season, one in Serie A against Monza and two in the Coppa Italia against Catania. David Romero, meanwhile, is establishing himself as an important option at centre-forward. The Argentine striker, who joined from Tigre in the summer, has scored in each of his last two matches against Como and Parma. He is a natural finisher who looks to get shots away quickly, while his off-the-ball movement and ability to find space inside the box are key strengths. Nesta Elphege provides competition for the role, offering a more physical profile and the versatility to also play as a second striker.

A new-look Parma will therefore arrive at San Siro, led by Alberto Gilardino as he returns to Serie A management after his spell with Pisa last season. The Gialloblù will be looking to build on their victory over Genoa and make a strong start to this new chapter, while Inter begin a demanding run of closely spaced fixtures across Serie A and the Champions League.