Parma enters the resumption of the Serie A season facing an acute defensive shortage as manager Alberto Gilardino prepares his squad for a challenging fixture against Inter Milan at San Siro, SportParma reported. Following a three-week league break, the new technical course must manage a depleted backline that has left the club short of personnel in central defense.
Available Defenders For The San Siro Trip
With the squad returning to training, Gilardino has limited options to construct his defensive line. The available group consists of team captain Enrico Delprato, Troilo, Diego Carlos, and Ndiaye. Because the technical staff favors a three-man defensive system, deploying the formation means only one of the four available players would miss out on the starting lineup.
During a recent friendly match against Virtus Entella, where Delprato sat out as a precautionary measure, Gilardino tested midfielder Konaté as a right-sided center-back. However, the tactical experiment did not yield convincing results. Reports indicate that Ndiaye remains the most likely candidate to be left out of the tactical setup, having struggled to secure regular playing time and full trust under former manager Cuesta. Ndiaye’s only official appearance this season occurred during the opening fixture against Cagliari.
Absences Of Drobnič And Valenti Compound Roster Strain
Parma’s defensive department comprises three pairs across six positions, making the simultaneous loss of two key contributors a severe blow to squad depth. Dominik Drobnič and Lautaro Valenti are both unavailable for selection. Drobnič suffered a scaphoid fracture in his hand, an injury expected to sideline the Slovenian defender for approximately one month.
Meanwhile, Valenti has endured a turbulent period following his exclusion from the matchday squad against Genoa. Managing Director Cherubini confirmed the club’s decision to place the 1999-born defender outside the official squad list, validating earlier reports regarding his status. Unless an unexpected reintegration occurs, Valenti will remain capped at 135 total minutes played this season across Serie A and Coppa Italia fixtures.
Parma May Promote Youth Defenders to Cover Injuries
Should further injuries or yellow-card suspensions strike the remaining defenders, Parma may have to turn to the club’s Primavera youth ranks for reinforcement. While Drobnič previously proved capable of handling top-flight competition and showed steady development, relying heavily on academy depth carries inherent risks.
Under-20 central defenders Djbril Diallo and Ludovico Varali, both members of Italy’s European championship-winning youth setup, continue to impress in the youth league under manager Corrent. Promoting either prospect would plug a gap in the senior squad, but it would simultaneously weaken the Primavera defense. Gilardino must therefore manage his current resources carefully as Parma prepares for the upcoming test in Milan.
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