Paulo Dybala admitted it would be ‘beautiful’ to score his 200th career goal against Athletic Club on Thursday but insisted the ‘most important thing’ is to help Roma secure qualification for the Europa League quarter-finals.
The Giallorossi travel to Bilbao for the second leg of their Europa League Round of 16 tie, knowing that even a draw could be enough to go through after their 2-1 victory at the Stadio Olimpico a week ago.
The former Juventus forward seems to have hit his stride since Claudio Ranieri’s arrival on Roma’s bench, confirming that the former Leicester boss has given him the ‘confidence’ to ‘speak up’ and become a reference point for his teammates in the locker room.
Dybala: Roma’s qualification my ‘priority’, Ranieri has given me confidence
“I hope so,” Dybala told reporters at a pre-match press conference when asked if he thinks about celebrating his 200th goal on an illustrious European night.
“It would be amazing to reach that milestone, but the most important thing is that if it happens, it helps us advance to the next round. Goals are great, but the priority is returning to Rome having qualified.”
Dybala has been playing with unprecedented consistency since Ranieri took charge of the team in November, and he suggested that the coach has also helped him emerge as a charismatic leader for his teammates.
“Definitely, yes,” he said.
“With his experience and the players he has coached, he has given me the confidence to speak up and share my experience with my teammates, especially the younger ones, to try to help them.
“On the field, I give my all, and in the locker room, I try to support everyone. I’m not someone who gets angry, but I try to give my teammates confidence.”