Juventus director Fabio Paratici insists Alvaro Morata ‘was always Plan A’ on the market, while Aaron Ramsey and Adrien Rabiot simply needed to adapt.

The Serie A match with Verona kicks off at 19.45 GMT, click here for the line-ups and LIVEBLOG.

This is Dybala’s first start in three months, partnering Morata with Ramsey and Federico Bernardeschi in support.

Juventus director Fabio Paratici insists Alvaro Morata ‘was always Plan A’ on the market, while Aaron Ramsey and Adrien Rabiot simply needed to adapt.

The Serie A match with Verona kicks off at 19.45 GMT, click here for the line-ups and LIVEBLOG.

This is Dybala’s first start in three months, partnering Morata with Ramsey and Federico Bernardeschi in support.

“Paulo is in better shape physically now, as let’s not forget he was out for two months with a muscular injury, then had a gastrointestinal infection in Argentina,” Paratici told Sky Sport Italia.

“It’s right that he now has the opportunity to start after a few run-outs. We are discussing the contract extension, we certainly want to continue, but it has been a tricky period because we were locked in the hotel for two weeks due to the COVID scare and not allowed to meet anyone, but we have been talking.”

Morata is proving to be a remarkable signing, on loan with option to buy from Atletico Madrid, but Paratici assures he was not a second choice to Roma’s Edin Dzeko or Luis Suarez of Barcelona.

“Morata has always been Plan A for us. Atletico Madrid had not been open to a certain type of transfer, so we looked elsewhere at other players. When the situation changed, we did well to keep the door open, stay in contact and were able to pick up where we left off.

“One must be elastic on the transfer market, as various different options are always on the table. Alvaro was our first choice and the player whose characteristics most suited our tactical project.

“Ramsey had issues last season because he was injured when he arrived, so he had to settle into a new club, new style of football, new environment, new training routines. Adrien Rabiot had to go through the same process, so many top stars in the history of Serie A needed a period to adapt. I realise there isn’t much patience when waiting for players, but we follow them for months or even years beforehand, so we know what they are like and if they need supporting at certain points.”

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