AS ROMA NEWS – Before the match between Roma and Athletic Club, Paulo Dybala gave a long interview to Spanish newspaper Marca, talking about the Giallorossi’s season, the Basque team and the future. These are his words.
What kind of Roma will Athletic Club find?
“An aggressive Roma with a lot of desire. Playing at the Olimpico is important, it stimulates us in every match. Athletic already showed themselves strong in the match they drew in September but I hope this time will be different.”
What attracts you most about the Basques?
“I’m very curious about playing at the San Mamés in the return leg. Everyone speaks very highly of this stadium because the fans really get into it. In attack then they are a fast and dangerous team but we are prepared.”
What do you think of the Williams brothers?
“I hope they don’t have their best day. We know them both because of their speed and dribbling skills. We have studied them well, we will try not to let them have too much of the ball. We will follow Ranieri’s directions.”
Sancet, crucial for Athletic Club, seems to be not 100 percent….
“We do not wish evil on anyone but it is good if good players in general do not play against us. Valverde’s team is strong anyway, we will have to give our best.”
You have been in Italy for many years, have you ever been able to play in Spain?
“I love LaLiga, I watch it a lot on TV. This year it’s a very nice and competitive league, and I would always have liked to play there, but I’ve been in Italy for many years now. Then you never know what can happen in the future.”
Can it be said that the Olympic Stadium has one of the best atmospheres in Europe?
“I would invite anyone who does not know it to come. What you experience here can only be felt at Anfield and a few other stadiums. The Olympic Stadium is always full and even just hearing the anthem at the beginning gives you incredible magic.”
What kind of moment is Roma in?
“We are perhaps in our best moment of the season. At home we are stronger and against Athletic we have to continue on this path. We are very confident, we want to take advantage of the home factor.”
Ranieri, at 73, has revived Roma’s season.
“The merits of this rebirth are largely with the coach. When he arrived, it was a difficult period, with many internal and external changes in the team, everything was uncertain. He calmed us down by doing the simple things, he knows the square in Rome very well, and his extraordinary motivation makes the difference.”
Where has Ranieri improved you?
“He leaves me very free on the field. Sometimes he obviously asks me to help manage the result and help the defense but in attack I am free to occupy the opponent’s weak points. The coach knows that sometimes I interpret the game differently and he gives me the opportunity to do so. I feel good and this is crucial for the end of the season.”
Recently your contract was automatically renewed for another year. Did that also help you on the field?
“No, I don’t think so because I already knew that. There is always so much news about me, I am used to it by now. Only I know the truth and that reassures me. I don’t think about my future right now.”
Is Roma the leading favorite to win the Europa League?
“I would like to answer yes. I don’t know if we are the absolute favorite but I know we can have our say until the end. The challenge against Athletic will tell us if we are favorites or not.”
Roma’s last Scudetto was in 2001 with Capello on the bench, is it difficult to repeat that feat?
“Roma has only won three Scudettos in history because Italian soccer is always very difficult and balanced, as can be seen even this season. Winning the Scudetto is difficult but not impossible and I would like to leave a good memory, a trophy, when I no longer play for Roma. Today, however, we have Athletic and we only think about that, as well as trying to win qualification for the next Champions League.”
Source: Brand
The article DYBALA: “I want to win a trophy before I leave Roma. We are in our best moment, Athletic will tell us if we are the Europa League favorites.” comes from Giallorossi.net, exclusive news, news and soccer market.
