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 Forward | José David Romero |
| Supporting Forward | El Bilal Touré (loan from Atalanta) |
| Breakout Prospect | Simone Lontani |
| Deadline-Day Arrival | Ousmane Diallo Thiao (from Borussia Dortmund) |
| Notable Departure | Mateo Pellegrino (to Fiorentina) |
The Defining Moment
Parma’s 2026/27 forward line was defined by a revolution that the club’s financial reality made inevitable. Mateo Pellegrino, the Argentine striker who had shown glimpses of quality in the previous campaign, was sold to Fiorentina. Jacob Ondrejka was loaned to Groningen. Adrian Benedyczak departed for Kasımpaşa. The forward line that Gilardino inherited when he replaced Carlos Cuesta in late September was thin, unproven, and lacking a focal point.
The defining moment came not in a signing, but in a statistic that reveals the scale of the attacking crisis. Parma have scored just eight goals in their opening ten Serie A matches, a rate of 0.80 per game that ranks as the worst in the division. Their expected goals per match of 0.94 is also the lowest in Serie A. They have taken 10.0 shots per match, the fewest in the league, and only 3.2 of those have been on target. This is not a forward line that is underperforming. It is a forward line that is barely functioning.
The response has been a collective one. José David Romero, the Argentine signed from Tigre in August, has been the most consistent presence, contributing two goals. El Bilal Touré, the loanee from Atalanta, has provided two assists but no goals. Simone Lontani, an 18-year-old signed from Milan, has been the unlikely leading scorer with three goals in 494 minutes. It is a patchwork attack, assembled on a limited budget, tasked with the simple objective of scoring enough goals to keep Parma in Serie A.
This is the story of Parma’s 2026/27 forwards: an Argentine import adjusting to European football, a Malian international seeking to rebuild his career, a teenage revelation thrust into the spotlight, and a supporting cast of loanees and prospects navigating the most unforgiving league in Europe.
Tactical Context
Gilardino’s Parma have operated primarily in a 3-5-2 system since his arrival, with two forwards tasked with pressing relentlessly, running the channels, and converting the few chances that arrive from a midfield that has struggled for creativity. The approach reflects the reality of a squad that averages just 40.2% possession, the lowest in Serie A. The forwards are not asked to dominate centre-backs or hold the ball up for extended periods; they are asked to run, to stretch defences, and to make the most of limited service.
The numbers reflect a forward line that is starved of opportunity. Parma average 10.0 shots per match, the fewest in the division, and their 1.5 big chances per match is also the lowest in Serie A. The forwards are not receiving the ball in dangerous areas, and when they do, the quality of the chance is often poor. Romero’s two goals have come from individual effort rather than sustained attacking pressure. Lontani’s three goals have been the product of movement and instinct in the box, a rare bright spot in an otherwise bleak attacking landscape.
The structural issue is creativity and service. Parma’s midfield, shorn of Hans Nicolussi Caviglia through injury, lacks a player capable of unlocking defences with an incisive pass. The wing-backs, Delprato and Valeri, are defenders first and attackers second. The forwards are isolated, forced to create something from nothing against defences that are rarely stretched.
The contrast with last season is instructive. In 2025/26, Parma’s attack included Pellegrino, Ondrejka, and Almqvist—players with pace, creativity, and Serie A experience. The 2026/27 arrangement is built on Romero’s adaptation, Touré’s physicality, and Lontani’s emergence. It is a forward line in transition, and the results have reflected that.
The Forwards
José David Romero
Romero is Parma’s most important forward, the Argentine signed from Tigre in August 2026 on a contract until 2031. The 23-year-old has started the majority of Parma’s league matches, contributing two goals and taking 15 shots—the most of any Parma player.
His profile is that of the quick, space-attacking forward. At 23, Romero is effective both when running in behind defences and when operating in the final third. His goalscoring record in Argentina—10 goals and two assists in 17 appearances across the Primera División and CONMEBOL Sudamericana in 2026—suggested a forward capable of adapting to European football. His move to Parma marked his first step into European football, following a period of development in Argentina and Chile.
The context of his season matters. Romero arrived in August, thrust into a squad that was already struggling for goals and creativity. The step up from South American football to Serie A is significant, and his adaptation has been gradual. His two goals are a respectable return for a player in his first season in Italy, but the lack of service around him has limited his impact.
At 23, Romero has time to develop. His contract until 2031 reflects Parma’s belief that he can become a long-term asset. The challenge is whether he can fulfil that potential in a team that is battling relegation and creating few chances.
El Bilal Touré
Touré is Parma’s loan arrival from Atalanta, a 25-year-old Malian international signed to provide physicality and experience in the forward line. He has started nine of Parma’s league matches, playing 722 minutes, and has contributed two assists but no goals.
His profile is that of the physical, hard-running forward. Touré is not the most technically gifted player in the squad, nor the most clinical, but his strength, his willingness to engage in duels, and his ability to hold the ball up have made him a useful option in Gilardino’s system. He is at his best when running the channels and creating space for the players around him.
The context of his arrival matters. Touré spent last season on loan at Stuttgart, where he struggled for consistency and goals. The move to Parma offered regular football and the chance to prove himself in a different environment. At 25, he is in his prime, but his lack of goals reflects both his own limitations and the broader attacking struggles of the team.
Simone Lontani
Lontani is Parma’s breakout attacking revelation, an 18-year-old signed from Milan who has become the team’s leading scorer with three goals in 494 minutes. His profile is that of the instinctive, mobile forward. Lontani is not the most physically imposing player, but his movement in the box, his finishing ability, and his fearlessness have made him a valuable option.
The context of his emergence matters. Lontani was signed as a prospect, a young forward with potential who could learn from the more experienced players around him. The team’s attacking struggles have forced Gilardino to look deeper into his squad, and Lontani has seized his opportunity. At 18, he has time to develop, but his early performances have suggested that he is ready to contribute now.
Ousmane Diallo Thiao and the Supporting Cast
Diallo, the 18-year-old signed from Borussia Dortmund, has been limited to brief appearances from the bench. His profile is that of the developing, athletic forward, and his time will come. Pontus Almqvist, the Swedish winger, has contributed one goal. Thomas De Martis, the loanee from Lanús, has yet to make a significant impact. Dennis Frigan and Ange-Yoan Bonny have provided depth but not a consistent goal threat.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: Parma Calcio Forward Serie A Statistics (2026/27)
| Player | Apps (Starts) | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| José David Romero | — | — | 2 | — | FW |
| Simone Lontani | 9 (5) | 494 | 3 | 0 | FW |
| El Bilal Touré | 10 (9) | 722 | 0 | 2 | FW |
| Pontus Almqvist | — | — | 1 | 0 | W |
| Ousmane Diallo | — | — | 0 | 0 | FW |
TABLE B: Parma Calcio Forward Unit – Key Metrics (2026/27)
| Metric | Value | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Parma Goals Scored (Serie A) | 8 | 0.80 per game; worst in division |
| Parma xG per Match | 0.94 | Lowest in Serie A |
| Parma Shots per Match | 10.0 | Fewest in Serie A |
| Lontani Goals | 3 | Leading scorer despite limited minutes |
TABLE C: Forward Career Context & Pedigree
| Player | Nationality | Previous Clubs | Style Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| José David Romero | Argentina | Tigre, Unión La Calera, Talleres | Quick forward, space-attacker, developing |
| El Bilal Touré | Mali | Atalanta, Stuttgart, Reims | Physical forward, channel runner, hold-up play |
| Simone Lontani | Italy | Milan (academy) | Instinctive forward, mobile, poacher |
| Ousmane Diallo | Germany | Borussia Dortmund (academy) | Athletic forward, developing prospect |
Tactical Identity & Squad Balance
Parma’s forward line is a study in improvisation and survival. The departures of Pellegrino and Ondrejka removed the team’s most experienced attackers. The summer signings—Romero, Touré, Diallo—were intended to fill the void, but none has delivered consistently. The solution has come from an unexpected source: Lontani, an 18-year-old who has seized his opportunity with both hands.
The balance is fragile. Romero is adapting to a new league. Touré is a physical presence but not a goalscorer. Lontani is a teenager with three goals and a bright future but cannot be expected to carry the burden alone. The supporting cast—Almqvist, De Martis, Frigan—are squad players rather than difference-makers.
The contrast with last season is instructive. In 2025/26, Parma’s attack included Pellegrino’s goals and Ondrejka’s creativity. The 2026/27 arrangement is more functional, more reliant on the collective, and more dependent on Gilardino’s ability to find the right combinations. Against Genoa, a 2-1 victory, the forwards pressed and created space for the midfielders to score. Against Inter, a 0-3 defeat, they were contained and isolated.
The risk is January. If Romero or Lontani suffers an injury, Parma have few proven alternatives. Touré’s lack of goals is a concern. Diallo is a prospect, not a solution. The club’s financial constraints—shaped by a summer transfer balance of +€47.2 million—make a marquee signing unlikely. A loan move or a low-cost addition may be the extent of the club’s business.
The Verdict from the Camp
Parma Calcio 1913, on Romero’s arrival:
“Parma Calcio 1913 can announce the permanent signing of Jose David Romero, with the Argentine striker signing a contract with the Club until 30 June 2031. Romero enjoyed a particularly impressive 2026 season, scoring 10 goals and providing two assists in 17 appearances across the Primera División and CONMEBOL Sudamericana. A quick forward, he is effective both when attacking space in behind and when operating in the final third.”
Gazzetta di Parma, on the forward revolution:
“The attack was the most revolutionized department of all. David Romero, signed outright from Lanús, will be called upon to make fans forget Mateo Pellegrino, sold to Fiorentina. To the confirmed Elphege, Frigan and Almqvist, the new arrivals El Bilal Touré, on loan with an option to buy from Atalanta, and Ousmane Diallo, outright from Borussia Dortmund, have been added.”
ScoutingStats.AI, on Parma’s attacking output:
“Goals per match: 0.82 (19th in Serie A). xG per match: 0.94 (20th in Serie A). Shots per match: 10.0 (20th in Serie A). Shots on target per match: 3.2 (19th in Serie A). Big chances per match: 1.5 (19th in Serie A).”
Where Next?
Parma’s forward priority is goals. The current rate of 0.80 per game is unsustainable for a team hoping to avoid relegation. Romero must continue his adaptation, Lontani must prove that his early-season form is not a flash in the pan, and Touré must find the scoring touch that has eluded him so far.
The January window may offer an opportunity to add another forward, but Parma’s financial constraints make significant investment unlikely. The club’s summer business generated a surplus of €47.2 million, a reflection of a sustainability model that prioritizes balanced books over marquee signings. A loan move or a low-cost addition may be the extent of the club’s business.
The longer-term question is Lontani’s development. At 18, he has already become Parma’s leading scorer, a remarkable achievement for a player who was signed as a prospect. If he continues on his current trajectory, he could become the focal point of Parma’s attack for years to come. If he does not, the club will need to find another solution.
For now, Parma’s forwards are the functional engine of a survival bid that has confounded expectations. Romero’s adaptation, Lontani’s emergence, and Touré’s physicality have provided the platform for a side that sits fifteenth in Serie A. The forwards may not dominate headlines, but they dominate the areas of the pitch that matter most—and in a season where every point matters, that functionality is enough.
