Parma’s ongoing struggle with injuries shows no signs of abating as they gear up for their upcoming Serie A clash against Lecce. The team’s defence has been particularly hard hit, with Botond Balogh, Yordan Osorio, and Alessandro Circati all sidelined. These absences compound the existing injury list that includes Adrian Bernabe, Mateusz Kowalski, and Gabriel Charpentier. Adding to coach Fabio Pecchia’s headaches, team captain Enrico Del Prato will miss the match due to suspension.
The Gialloblu’s attacking options are also limited, with chief playmaker Dennis Man, who has been involved in seven Serie A goals this season, likely to miss out due to a thigh strain. This setback could open the door for Pontus Almqvist to start, potentially looking to replicate his goal-scoring performance from the reverse fixture earlier in the season.
There is a glimmer of hope for Parma’s forward line as Ange-Yoan Bonny returns to training. He’ll be competing for a starting spot with new acquisition Milan Djuric. Fans are also eagerly anticipating the potential debut of recently signed winger Jacob Ondrejka.
Lecce, Parma’s opponents, are not without their own injury concerns. The visitors will be missing several key players, including Hamza Rafia, Medon Berisha, Kialonda Gaspar, Lameck Banda, and Filip Marchwinski. Additionally, versatile winger Patrick Dorgu is unlikely to feature amid rumors of an impending high-profile transfer to the Premier League. His absence could see Antonino Gallo step in at left-back.
Despite these setbacks, Lecce will be looking to their Montenegrin striker Nikola Krstovic for inspiration. Krstovic, who found the net in the earlier meeting between these two sides, stands out as the only Lecce player with more than one away goal in Serie A this season.
Parma (4-2-3-1): Suzuki; Hainaut, Valenti, Vogliacco, Valeri; Sohm, Hernani; Almqvist, Cancellieri, Mihaila; Djuric
Lecce (4-3-3): Falcone; Guilbert, Baschirotto, Jean, Gallo; Helgason, Coulibaly, Pierret; Pierotti, Krstovic, Morente
