Cuesta: ‘Parma showed heart to fight back’ for 2-2 with AC Milan

Carlos Cuesta reveals what Parma did to change the game against AC Milan, coming back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2. ‘Quite apart from tactics, what the players showed was heart.’

The Ducali seemed to have been railroaded in the opening half-hour, going 2-0 down to an Alexis Saelemaekers effort and the Rafael Leao penalty, which was confirmed even after the VAR On-Field Review.

It took a moment of magic to wake them up, as Adrian Bernabé curled a stunning strike into the far top corner on the stroke of half-time, then defender Enrico Delprato completed the comeback with his glancing header.

There were chances at both ends to win the match, but it ended in a 2-2 draw at the Stadio Tardini.

“What we tried to do at half-time was adjust a few things that weren’t working, but above all decide to be more dominant, more aggressive in the press, and that is how we managed to get the game back on track,” Cuesta told Sky Sport Italia.

“We also created the chances to even win it, but we also allowed a few too many dangerous counter-attacks that could’ve lost it in the final stages. It was a match of ups and downs, we must work to improve.”

It was remarkable that they managed to get back to 2-2 against Milan after scoring only two goals in the previous five games.

“Milan made some movements that gave them more space and we struggled to deal with that, but quite apart from tactics, what the players showed was heart. They wanted to fight to the end, and that attitude is the most important value shown by this team in all 11 games,” insisted Cuesta.

“We have to take the positives from this evening. It’s true that Serie A matches are not all the same, you are allowed time on the ball in some, but not in others. I too am trying to adapt as quickly as possible to this league and get the best out of these players, because having young players must not be a limitation, but a strength by using the enthusiasm and passion.”

Bernabé is impressing in a more advanced role than he is accustomed to, which is something Cuesta admits was rather forced by absentees.

“What we try is to make the most of the qualities at our disposal. We had some injury problems, losing Oristanio and Ondrejka, so we had to make adjustments to get players in those positions. Adrian has the ability to shoot, provide assists, get into dangerous situations, and we want to make the most of that. He seems comfortable there too and is giving us a big hand.”

The Ducali have eight points from 11 Serie A rounds and if Genoa win tomorrow, would find themselves dragged down into the relegation zone.