Parma’s Donadoni Criticizes Belfodil’s Individualism Amid Club’s Relegation Woes
With Parma’s relegation to Serie B now confirmed following a 4-0 loss to Lazio on Matchday 33 of Serie A, coach Roberto Donadoni is turning his attention to individual player development — particularly that of Ishak Belfodil.
Though the Algerian striker has shown flashes of skill, Donadoni believes his playing style needs urgent refinement:
“Belfodil is confident at the moment, but he remains an individualist in his game,” said Donadoni before the Lazio match. “He must learn to play collectively with his teammates. He must release the ball more and not overdo it with dribbling. Football is a team game, even if an individual performance can get you out of certain situations.”
Belfodil, who returned to Parma after previous stints at Inter Milan and Lyon, has struggled for consistency. Despite his technical abilities, his tendency to hold onto the ball and over-dribble has often frustrated teammates and coaches alike — particularly in a side fighting for its survival.
Parma’s financial collapse and confirmed bankruptcy have already sealed their fate for the season, and with relegation now inevitable, Donadoni’s comments signal a push to rebuild with a stronger team ethic. Whether Belfodil will remain part of that project is yet to be determined.
