Parma president Tommaso Ghirardi has insisted that the club must keep trying hard in order to slowly increase their stature in Serie A.

He admitted that the dip in form towards the end of the season is frustrating, but was quick to assure fans that things are progressing well behind the scenes.

"For now we are doing the opposite of last year, when we started badly and had a good second half of the season," LegaSerieA.it quotes Ghirardi as saying.

"Against Torino, our direct opponent in the league table we won nicely and against Roma we wanted to do well obviously. The quality we showed, especially against opponents like Francesco Totti, helps to digest the defeat better, although it stays bitter.

"We are a serious club. We all, from executives to the coaching staff are working in the interest of the club, of the team and the fans."

Parma are currently 13th in Serie A.