Paulo Dybala reflected on his last few years with Juventus, his move to Roma and the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
The 28-year-old Argentinian forward ended a seven-year association with the Bianconeri in the summer, joining the Giallorossi on a free transfer. Dybala put pen to paper on a three-year contract, being a much anticipated addition to Jose Mourinho’s squad in the Italian capital.
Things have started well at Roma and the player has scored three goals and provided two assists in six Serie A games.
Speaking to ESPN Argentina, Dybala first discussed his physical condition after he was forced to miss Roma’s loss to Atalanta.
“On Sunday I had some fatigue, I felt like I wasn’t 100% and the doctors knew that. It was necessary to skip a game instead of missing a month. They understood that, luckily then the results of the tests went well.”
He touched on his decision to join up with the Argentina camp despite his physical concerns.
“When the World Cup comes around you always want to go to the national team, I didn’t want to miss it. We all work to go to the World Cup, then the coach will make the list.
“As an Argentinian there’s always the allure of wanting to go to the World Cup. Personally I’ll work in the same way, giving everything with my club for the coach to see me and be able to count on me.”
The former Juventus forward commented on if he feels more important now he’s at Roma.
“Yes, the last few years at Juventus weren’t easy, a change did me good. Mourinho called me and in a few minutes I decided. He as well as the director spoke to me about the project and the desire to continue winning as they did last year.
“Being a protagonist in such a team helps me a lot. The fans’ welcome? It was unusual. When you enter the stadium you’re with your teammates, there I was alone. It had never happened to me before.
“Roma fans are similar to Argentinian fans in terms of passion. Different from the Juventus environment, more like the Argentinean one.
“They have a beautiful madness, I feel this affection, for them Roma comes before the family. They live football as we do.”
Dybala revealed an interesting interaction he had with Mourinho during his final season with Juventus.
“In Rome with Juventus we were winning 4-3 and the coach took me off. Mourinho came up to the bench to greet me and said: ‘You are a phenomenon’. This episode has stayed in my head, but I couldn’t know then what would happen with the renewal at Juventus.
“When he called me the first time, he asked me if I remembered that moment. I said: ‘Of course, how could I forget. It was an honour’. Then he said: ‘Well, now you have to do it for me’. He also called me in the following days and it was easy to decide.
“Working with him is easy. With him I talk about everything, he knows all the players, from the elite to the third string. He has a group of people who work very well. What surprised me about Mourinho is the humility he has, he treats everyone the same.
“Sometimes he can give a different image for what you see on the pitch. Then I also saw him angry…. I’m very happy at Roma, when you’re happy it’s easier.”
Finally, Dybala discussed the goal he scored against Italy and his preparations for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
“A wonderful moment, I had a few minutes and I scored. We all go in to give our best in the national team, always hoping to score.
“A very nice moment for me, crowning a great game by my teammates. We could have won by more goals. This call-up serves to sort out the last details for the World Cup. We hope to arrive at our best.”
Good for him. Being coached once by the Allegrisaurus is torture, but twice you have to be full on nuts to go back to the art of feng shui reverse back, back, down, down.