CLUB SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Club | Parma Calcio 1913 |
| League | Serie A |
| Manager | Alberto Gilardino |
| Stadium | Stadio Ennio Tardini |
| Nickname | I Crociati / Gialloblu |
| Founded | 1913 |
| First-Choice Right-Back | Enrico Delprato (Captain) |
| First-Choice Centre-Backs | Mariano Troilo & Diego Carlos |
| First-Choice Left-Back | Emanuele Valeri |
| Emerging Prospect | Sascha Britschgi |
| Notable Absence | Dominik Drobnič (wrist surgery) |
The Defining Moment
Parma’s defensive story in 2026/27 is defined by a contradiction that has characterized the club’s entire season. The Crociati have conceded 15 goals in their opening ten Serie A matches, a rate of 1.50 per game that places them in mid-table. They have kept two clean sheets, both of which arrived after Giovanni Daffara replaced Edoardo Corvi in goal. By the raw numbers, this is a defence that is functional rather than formidable.
Yet the underlying metrics tell a more encouraging story. Parma’s 68% save rate on shots on target ranks fourth in Serie A, and their goals prevented per match of -0.05 places them third in the division. Their PPDA of 13.0 is the best in the league, a reflection of a side that presses aggressively and denies opponents time on the ball. The defence is not watertight, but it is organized, disciplined, and committed to the structure that Gilardino has implemented since replacing Carlos Cuesta in late September.
The defining moment came not in a tackle, but in a summer of transition. Alessandro Circati, the young Australian centre-back who had been a cornerstone of the project, was sold to Benfica. Botond Balogh departed for Westerlo. In their place arrived Diego Carlos, the 33-year-old Brazilian veteran whose experience was intended to provide stability, and Mariano Troilo, the 23-year-old Argentine who has become one of the season’s most consistent performers. Around them, Enrico Delprato has captained the side from right-back, Emanuele Valeri has provided reliability on the left, and Sascha Britschgi has emerged as a promising young option.
This is the story of Parma’s 2026/27 defenders: a captain who has been ever-present, an Argentine revelation, a Brazilian veteran seeking one last challenge, and a supporting cast of young prospects and experienced professionals navigating the demands of Serie A survival.
Tactical Context
Gilardino’s Parma have operated primarily in a 3-5-2 system since his arrival, a shift from the back four that Cuesta had favored. The change has placed new demands on the defenders: the centre-backs are asked to hold a relatively high line, the wing-backs are expected to contribute in both phases, and the entire unit is tasked with supporting a pressing structure that ranks among the most aggressive in Serie A.
The numbers reflect a defence that is busy but organized. Parma face 14.5 shots per match, the 18th-most in the division, and 4.9 of those are on target. The volume of shots conceded is a reflection of a team that often cedes possession and invites pressure, but the quality of those chances is mitigated by the structure. The clean sheets against Udinese and Atalanta—both 0-0 and 3-0 results respectively—demonstrated what the backline is capable of when the press functions and the goalkeeper delivers.
The centre-back pairing has been fluid. Troilo has been the most consistent presence, starting all 11 matches and playing 984 minutes. His partnership with Diego Carlos has provided a balance of youth and experience, though the Brazilian’s fitness and adaptation to Serie A have limited his availability. Dominik Drobnič, the 19-year-old Slovenian, started five matches before a freak wrist injury sustained against Genoa required surgery. Abdoulaye N’Diaye has provided cover, while Lautaro Valenti has been a peripheral figure.
The full-back roles have been more settled. Delprato has started all 11 league matches, playing 990 minutes, and has been the defensive unit’s most reliable performer. On the left, Valeri has started ten of 11 matches, his experience and positioning providing balance to a defence that often pushes forward on the right. Britschgi, the 20-year-old Swiss-Cameroonian, has emerged as a valuable rotation option, starting six matches and playing 553 minutes.
The structural issue is depth. Drobnič’s injury has limited Gilardino’s options in central defence, and the drop-off from Troilo to the backups is noticeable. The wing-back positions are adequately covered, but the central pairing remains fragile. In a season where survival is the objective, the defence’s durability will be tested.
The Defenders
Mariano Troilo
Troilo is Parma’s most consistent defender and the anchor of the back three. The 23-year-old Argentine has started all 11 league matches, playing 984 minutes, and has been the defensive unit’s most reliable presence.
His profile is that of the modern, left-footed centre-back. Troilo combines aerial strength with mobility and a composure in possession that has made him ideally suited to Gilardino’s system. He is comfortable stepping into midfield when the opportunity arises, and his distribution from the back has been central to Parma’s ability to build play rather than simply clear their lines.
The context of his season matters. Troilo arrived at Parma with a reputation as a promising young defender, and the step up to Serie A has been seamless. At 23, he is entering his prime, and his performances have attracted attention from clubs higher up the food chain. His partnership with Diego Carlos, when both have been available, has provided the balance that Gilardino needs.
The concern is the burden. Troilo has played every minute of every league match, a workload that is unsustainable over a 38-game season. The lack of a proven alternative—Drobnič’s injury has limited the options—means he cannot be rested. If he suffers an injury or a dip in form, Parma’s defensive structure could collapse.
Enrico Delprato
Delprato is Parma’s captain, first-choice right-back, and the most experienced defender in the squad. The 26-year-old has started all 11 league matches, playing 990 minutes—the most of any Parma defender.
His profile is that of the modern, all-action full-back. Delprato is not the tallest defender at 183 cm, but his reading of the game, his positioning, and his willingness to engage in duels make him a formidable presence. He is comfortable in possession, capable of delivering crosses and playing incisive passes, and his leadership has been invaluable in a squad that has been reshaped through departures and arrivals.
The context of his season matters. Delprato has been at Parma since his youth days and has experienced the club’s relegation, promotion, and survival battles. At 26, he is in his prime, and his importance to a young squad cannot be overstated. He is the player Gilardino trusts to organize the backline, to set the tone for the press, and to deliver in the moments that matter.
Diego Carlos
Diego Carlos is Parma’s marquee defensive signing, the 33-year-old Brazilian veteran who arrived from Fenerbahçe in the summer to provide experience and leadership. He has made six appearances, playing 425 minutes, and has been a rotation option in central defence.
His profile is that of the seasoned, physically imposing centre-back. At 184 cm, Diego Carlos combines strength in the air with a reading of the game that has been honed over a career spanning Nantes, Sevilla, Aston Villa, and Como. He won the Europa League with Sevilla in 2020 and an Olympic gold medal with Brazil in 2021. His experience was intended to provide stability to a young defence.
The context of his arrival matters. Diego Carlos was signed on deadline day as a pragmatic solution to Parma’s need for experience. At 33, he is not a long-term solution, but he is exactly what Gilardino needed: a defender who has seen everything, who can organize those around him, and who can step in when the younger players need a breather.
The limitation is fitness. Diego Carlos has not played every match, and his adaptation to Serie A’s pace and physical demands has been gradual. When he plays, he is reliable. When he does not, the defence lacks his calming presence.
Emanuele Valeri
Valeri is Parma’s first-choice left-back, a 28-year-old Italian who has started ten of 11 league matches, playing 930 minutes. His profile is that of the reliable, defensively solid full-back. Valeri is not the most attacking full-back in the league—he does not bomb forward relentlessly or deliver a stream of crosses—but he understands his role within Gilardino’s system. He defends the left channel, tracks runners, and provides an outlet on the counter.
The context of his season matters. Valeri has been at Parma since 2024 and has established himself as a regular under successive managers. His consistency and professionalism have made him a valued member of the squad.
Sascha Britschgi
Britschgi is Parma’s emerging defensive prospect, a 20-year-old Swiss-Cameroonian who has made nine appearances, starting six, and playing 553 minutes. His profile is that of the developing, athletic full-back. Britschgi is quick, comfortable in possession, and capable of playing on either flank. He is not yet the finished article—his positioning can be erratic, his decision-making occasionally rushed—but his potential is significant.
The context of his emergence matters. Britschgi was signed as a depth option, a young defender with potential who could learn from the veterans around him. The rotation that Gilardino has employed has given him more opportunities than anticipated, and he has handled them with maturity.
Dominik Drobnič
Drobnič is the young Slovenian centre-back whose season was interrupted by a freak injury. The 19-year-old started five matches, playing 450 minutes, before sustaining a fractured scaphoid in his left wrist when an opponent accidentally trod on his arm during the 2-1 victory over Genoa. He underwent successful surgery and was expected to return after the international break.
His profile is that of the developing, modern centre-back. Drobnič is comfortable in possession, mobile, and capable of playing in a high line. At 19, he is not yet the finished article, but his potential is significant. His return to fitness will provide Gilardino with a valuable rotation option in central defence.
Abdoulaye N’Diaye and the Supporting Cast
N’Diaye, a 25-year-old Senegalese centre-back, has made three appearances, playing 143 minutes. Lautaro Valenti, a 28-year-old Argentine, has made one appearance. Franco Carboni, a 23-year-old Argentine left-back, has provided cover. Their roles are those of squad players, ready when called upon but not central to Gilardino’s plans.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: Parma Calcio Defender Serie A Statistics (2026/27)
| Player | Apps (Starts) | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enrico Delprato | 11 (11) | 990 | 0 | 0 | RB |
| Mariano Troilo | 11 (11) | 984 | 0 | 0 | CB |
| Emanuele Valeri | 11 (10) | 930 | 0 | 0 | LB |
| Sascha Britschgi | 9 (6) | 553 | 0 | 0 | RB |
| Dominik Drobnič | 6 (5) | 450 | 0 | 0 | CB |
| Diego Carlos | 6 (6) | 425 | 0 | 0 | CB |
| Abdoulaye N’Diaye | 3 (2) | 143 | 0 | 0 | CB |
| Lautaro Valenti | 1 (0) | 44 | 0 | 0 | CB |
TABLE B: Parma Calcio Defensive Unit – Key Metrics (2026/27)
| Metric | Value | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Goals Conceded (Serie A) | 15 | 1.50 per game; mid-table |
| Clean Sheets | 2 | 0-0 vs Udinese, 3-0 at Atalanta |
| Shots Faced per Match | 14.5 | 18th-most in Serie A |
| Goals Prevented per Match | -0.05 | 3rd in Serie A |
| PPDA | 13.0 | Best in Serie A (most aggressive press) |
TABLE C: Defender Career Context & Pedigree
| Player | Nationality | Previous Clubs | Style Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mariano Troilo | Argentina | Parma (academy) | Left-footed CB, composed, ball-playing |
| Enrico Delprato | Italy | Parma (academy) | Reliable right-back, leader, defensively solid |
| Diego Carlos | Brazil | Fenerbahçe, Como, Aston Villa, Sevilla | Experienced CB, physical, aerial presence |
| Emanuele Valeri | Italy | Parma, Cremonese | Defensively solid left-back, reliable |
| Sascha Britschgi | Switzerland | Parma (academy) | Athletic full-back, developing, versatile |
| Dominik Drobnič | Slovenia | Parma (academy) | Developing CB, mobile, comfortable in possession |
Tactical Identity & Squad Balance
Parma’s defensive unit is a study in collective organization over individual brilliance. Individually, there is not a defender in the backline who would command a significant fee in the transfer market. Troilo is talented but unproven at the highest level. Delprato is a reliable captain but not a star. Diego Carlos is 33 and in the twilight of his career. Valeri and Britschgi are functional rather than exceptional. Yet collectively, they have produced a defence that ranks third in Serie A for goals prevented and first for pressing intensity.
The system is the star. Gilardino’s high press and aggressive man-marking have protected the defence by denying opponents time and space in midfield. The forwards and midfielders press relentlessly, forcing turnovers and preventing the kind of sustained pressure that would expose the backline’s limitations. When the press is bypassed, the centre-backs have shown themselves capable of defending in a higher line than many expected.
The balance is fragile. Troilo and Delprato have played every minute of every league match, a workload that is unsustainable over a 38-game season. Drobnič’s injury has limited the rotation options in central defence. Diego Carlos provides experience but cannot play every match. The depth is adequate but not exceptional.
The contrast with last season is instructive. In 2025/26, Parma’s defence included Circati, Balogh, and other players who have since departed. The 2026/27 arrangement is more youthful, more reliant on Troilo’s consistency, and more dependent on Gilardino’s ability to maintain the structure that has produced the division’s most aggressive press.
The risk is depth. If Troilo or Delprato suffers an injury, Parma have few proven alternatives. Drobnič’s return will help, but the 19-year-old is not yet ready for a sustained starting role. Diego Carlos’s fitness is unreliable. In a season where survival is the objective, the defence’s durability will be tested.
The Verdict from the Camp
Gazzetta di Parma, on Diego Carlos’s arrival:
“Diego Carlos will be the experienced man of the Crociati defence: born in 1993, he has played for the most important European clubs and in the most titled leagues. A career that includes the Olympic gold in Tokyo 2021 against Spain. At Como last season, he made 31 official appearances between league and Coppa Italia. He can play in every position of the central defence.”
ScoutingStats.AI, on Parma’s defensive metrics:
“Goals conceded per match: 1.59 (11th in Serie A). Goals prevented per match: -0.05 (3rd in Serie A). PPDA: 13.0 (1st in Serie A—most aggressive press).”
Wikipedia, on Parma’s season:
“Parma started the season still guided by Carlos Cuesta, defeating Catania in the Coppa Italia. Alberto Gilardino has been the manager since 29 September 2026. Serie A: 13th (in progress).”
Where Next?
Parma’s defensive priority is durability and the return of Drobnič. The 19-year-old’s recovery from wrist surgery will provide Gilardino with a valuable rotation option in central defence, allowing Troilo and Diego Carlos to be rested when necessary. The return of the Slovenian cannot come soon enough, given the workload that Troilo in particular has shouldered.
The January window may offer an opportunity to add defensive reinforcements, but Parma’s financial constraints—shaped by the club’s sustainability model—make significant investment unlikely. The priority is integration and improvement, not acquisition.
The longer-term question is the futures of the young defenders. Troilo has attracted attention from clubs higher up the food chain. Britschgi has the potential to become a regular starter. Drobnič must prove he can recover from injury and fulfill his potential. Parma’s recruitment strategy has focused on young players with resale value, but the balance between immediate survival and long-term planning will need to be addressed.
For now, Parma’s defenders are the foundation of a survival bid that has exceeded expectations. The 15 goals conceded in ten matches are a testament to the clarity of Gilardino’s vision and the collective discipline of a unit assembled on a limited budget. The defence may not be as settled as the units of Parma’s recent past, but it is organized—and in a season where every point matters, organization is enough.
