Roma have doubts over the fitness of both Paulo Dybala and Georginio Wijnaldum ahead of the Europa League final against Sevilla on May 31, and with just one league fixture against Fiorentina to go before then, Jose Mourinho’s star players face a race against time to be fit enough in time for next Wednesday.
Dybala is still suffering with the consequences of a heavy challenge from Jose Luis Palomino during the final minutes of Roma’s clash with Atalanta on April 24, a game during which he was brought on in the second half and then barely able to complete.
La Joya has had a handful of appearances from the substitutes’ bench since then, but has not started a game for the Giallorossi since the 1-0 win over Torino on April 8.
By the time the Europa League final at the Puskas Arena in Budapest arrives on May 31, it will have been almost two months since Dybala’s last start for Roma, causing concerns for Jose Mourinho over the impact he might be able to have against six-time champions Sevilla.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the situation surrounding Wijnaldum is slightly more positive. The Italian outlet wrote on Tuesday afternoon that the Dutchman’s presence in the Europa League final is not necessarily in doubt, but he is “certainly not” at 100% in terms of fitness.
The former Liverpool midfielder picked up an injury set-back during the quarter-final clash against Feyenoord in April, and despite having featured for Roma since then, his impact has been a little underwhelming.
There is a chance that Wijnaldum could be deployed against Fiorentina on Saturday as a “test run” ahead of the Europa League final next Wednesday, but there are only eight days for the 32-year-old to get himself back to his ideal condition.