As Empoli prepare to face Parma at the Stadio Ennio Tardini, manager Roberto D’Aversa shared his thoughts on returning to his former club and the challenge that awaits his team. D’Aversa, who coached Parma from 2016 to 2021, expressed his fondness for the club and the people he worked with during his tenure.
“I’m returning to a stadium where I spent almost four years and we achieved very important things,” D’Aversa said. “I’m always happy to go back. When I think of Parma, I think of the club and the people who allowed us to have that wonderful experience. I still keep in touch with many of them and have strong connections.”
The Empoli manager named several individuals he remains close to, including club officials, directors, and staff members. However, he emphasized that he now comes as an opponent with a clear objective: “We aim to reclaim what slipped away from us against Napoli.”
D’Aversa warned his team about Parma’s qualities, describing them as a side with “pace and quality” and highlighting their youthful energy. He stressed the need for his players to maintain high concentration throughout the match.
When asked about Parma’s current manager, Fabio Pecchia, D’Aversa expressed his happiness for his colleague’s contract extension while humorously adding, “I wish him the best of luck after tomorrow’s game.”
Addressing the challenges of managing a busy fixture schedule, D’Aversa stated, “We know we have to face many games in quick succession, but we must focus only on tomorrow’s match. What makes me happy is that I will probably use most, if not all, of the squad. This will allow players who have played less to show their qualities.”
D’Aversa also commented on Parma’s financial backing and ambitions: “The new ownership has spent 400 million euros, which is not a small amount. They have a way of thinking, wanting to work with young players, and I’ve seen that myself. They’ve acquired strong players but also have the right experience. Parma is not a provincial team; considering the investments made, it’s a team on par with the big clubs. We can’t afford to think this will be an easy match.”
