Serie A – Ave Dybala: Juve can shake, Emperor Paulo is in good shape

Arrived last summer in Rome, Paulo Dybala had not taken long to find his former teammates of the Old Lady. From August 27, the men of José Mourinho had moved to Juventus Turin (1-1), in the presence of the Argentinian. And it was he who had delivered an acrobatic decisive pass on the equalizer of Tammy Abraham. But nothing to taunt his former club. “No, I will not exult if I score against Juve. […] I’m very curious to see them tonight and hug them“, he had even announced before the meeting. But this Sunday evening (8:45 p.m.), things have changed a little bit.

In this enticing duel between AS Roma (5th) and Juventus (7th), the 29-year-old is already expected at the turn. “Paulo is a player who showed at Juventus and who does so at Roma, especially in terms of number of goals, he has scored several, he is an important player, as he was for Juve”, explained Massimiliano Allegri, the Turin coach at a press conference on Saturday. “We will face him knowing the characteristics of Paulo, he must be given special attention because when he approaches the penalty area he becomes dangerous”.

Welcomed as a King, Dybala does not disappoint

Remember the images of the Colosseum square in the Italian capital this summer. For the arrival of the Argentinian, the crowd had invaded the center of Rome to celebrate his attacker. A magnificent welcome for a player who came from Piedmont. With this “pressure” on the back, Paulo Dybala did not fail. Very fit at the start of the season, the left-hander took part in the particularly successful start of José Mourinho’s squad until… the injury. Leaded throughout his career, the Argentinian did not escape his demons, at the beginning of October by injuring his quadriceps, enough to keep him away from the field for a month. Then he joined the selection to participate in the World Cup in Qatar, where he played little. But no matter, he came back recovered from his ailments and world champion, having scored his shot on goal in the final.

These few weeks of absence in Rome did not cut the passion of the Giallorossi supporters for their n°21. Just look at the crowds at the Stadio Olimpico, almost every time sold out since the start of the season, to understand the impact of Dybala. On each touch of the ball, he is cheered in the stadium. During the presentation of the teams, his name is by far the most chanted. And when he’s on the ground after a contact, the whole crowd holds their breath.

And back from Qatar, Paulo Dybala did not curb his desire to shine with AS Roma. In accounting terms, he is quite simply the club’s top scorer in the league (eight goals). In total, the Argentinian has scored 12 goals and 7 assists in all competitions this season. And of course, there are superb ones like his special wrap against Empoli in September or a left-footed recovery against Inter on October 1, to name a few.

“I want to win with Mourinho”

If Dybala is valuable in finishing, he is obviously valuable in construction. A veritable metronome or conductor of the Roman attack, the almost thirty-year-old is capable of creating differences. Either by delivering caviars in depth or otherwise by dribbling to eliminate defenders. “Paulo is a player who makes the team and the coach better, there is teamwork, but Paulo is something else, he has a different flavor“, explained José Mourinho, in January. Compliments well received by La Joya “If it comes from him, it’s even more valid because he wanted me here. I will always be there to give myself 200% for him and the Roman people”.

The Portuguese coach has probably given valuable advice to be present on Sunday and hope to climb even higher in the rankings. “Roma are doing a great league, fighting for a place in the Champions League. At home, I think they are the first team in Europe, or in the top 3, to have conceded the fewest goals”, dreaded Allegri. In line with a good 2021-2022 season (winner of the Europa League Conference, 6th in Serie A), the Portuguese coach continues to lead Paulo Dybala and the others towards big goals.

Three points today from a qualifying place in the Champions League next year, AS Roma must remain as focused on their current course in Europe. On January 23 at the Olimpico, the Romans managed to overturn everything to leave Salzburg (2-0) in the round of 16 of the Europa League. And guess who scored the goal to send his team straight into the 8th round? Paulo Dybala. The Argentinian continues to hover in the Roman capital and the fans hope to see him continue at the Giallorossi. But proof that the relationship of trust exists between him and Mourinho, this week, he did not rule out a departure at the same time as the Portuguese coach. “I don’t know what will happen at the end of the season. The clause in my contract is something between my agents and the club. I would like to continue being trained by José Mourinho, one of the best technicians. I want to win with him“, slipped the world champion.