Paulo Dybala once again, dug Juventus out of a hole as he scored the winning goal against AC Milan in Turin before the international break. Coming on as second-half substitute for Cristiano Ronaldo, the Argentine playmaker proved why Maurizio Sarri cannot afford to overlook him in future.
The Argentine superstar instead opted to stay in Turin after much speculation last summer and has made a flying start to the season. He’s made 10 appearances this season (7 starts, and 3 as a sub). For a player of his calibre, why isn’t Dybala one of the first names on the team sheet?
When called upon this season, the Argentinian is starting to rediscover the kind of form that made him one of the most fearsome attacking players in the world during 2017/18 season. The simple fact that he may not be Sarri’s main man currently is spurring him on to become the player Juventus dreamt of since he his move from Palermo back in 2015.
Rewind back to the summer of 2018, Paulo Dybala was the main man, the face of Juventus and the future of the club.
Wearing the iconic no.10 shirt previously worn by the likes of Michel Platini, Roberto Baggio and Alessandro Del Piero, he has been earmarked to follow in the footsteps of those legendary club icons. He hit a staggering 22 goals in the 2017/18 Serie A campaign, and was very much the star of Max Allegri’s team.
However, things have changed considerably for the Argentine.
The arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid to lead another Champions League push and the club’s relentless pursuit of Europe’s premier competition clouded their recruitment drive as they threw mega money at the problem, securing the services of the 5 time Champions League winner. The Portuguese’s arrival in Turin subsequently froze Dybala out of the team and into the shadows.
Juventus fans turned their attentions to a new saviour.
Last season, Dybala struggled to hold down a permanent spot in Max Allegri’s side, he only scored 5 league goals and in the summer was made available for sale.
As the club invested heavily in Matthijs De Ligt, Aaron Ramsey, Adrien Rabiot and the return of Higuaín, it was reported that Dybala was no longer needed in Turin, being offered to various clubs around Europe such as Manchester United and Tottenham so Juventus could balance their books.
Dybala was on the fringes. Manchester United pulled out of the deal because of his high wage demands and a late move to Tottenham was scuppered because of his image rights which will have proved too difficult to complete.
It would have been very difficult for the Juventus faithful to see one of their star men leave. Though, it hasn’t always been plain sailing for Dybala.
Despite Juventus occupying top spot in the Serie A table, their performances under Sarri has been underwhelming often scraping victories coming back from behind or struggling to conjure up any magic in the final third.
The Argentine has only completed 90 minutes three times this season.
Despite his lack of minutes, Juventus just aren’t the same without him in the team. Much of their best football this season has been centred around the Paulo Dybala. He started and scored in a 2-1 win over closest challengers Inter Milan, bagged both goals in a comeback win against Lokomotiv Moscow in the Champions League, scored in a disappointing 1-1 draw against Lecce – a game which they really should have won – and scoring the winner against AC Milan last weekend.
It’s not only the goals and assists that highlights Paulo Dybala’s influence on the team. It’s his ability to create something out of nothing. His understanding with his fellow forwards seems to have improved vastly too. The Argentine is the glue that links the midfield and attack together.
When Dybala is on song, Juventus follow suit. When he is not in the team, Juventus tend to lack ideas, invention and creativity.
With the January transfer window fast approaching, Paulo Dybala could once again find his name shining in the headlines about a potential departure, but if Sarri holds any sense, he would persuade the Argentine to stay for the long haul, integrating him as a vital component in his side.
On the evidence of Juventus’ last few games, Cristiano Ronaldo tends to be slowing down. Sarri has opted to substitute the forward in the last two games. However, its clear to see that Juventus make major improvements when Dybala is introduced as was the case against AC Milan.
The breakthrough came when Dybala picked up the ball on the edge of the area and wriggled free from Milan’s defence firing low past Donnarumma. Just what Juventus needed. Dybala’s ability to operate in tight spaces, wriggling out of challenges especially when faced with two or three opponents pressing him. Also, he is so comfortable and adept at playing in between the lines, often running into space or collecting passes where other players aren’t so confident operating in. Much of Sarri’s system hinges on playing centrally which means that Dybala is already playing more through balls than usual.
His influence under Allegri, may have regressed somewhat but under Sarri’s system, Dybala has adapted and is appreciated in a team that progresses the ball better in central areas. The player is becoming a reference point for much of their attacking football.
It is evidently clear that Sarri must build his side around Paulo Dybala rather than Cristiano Ronaldo. While Ronaldo’s influence is slowly waning, Paulo Dybala’s is just getting better.
Maurizio Sarri would be wise to realise that or else Dybala may seek to become appreciated elsewhere.
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