Fever and flu symptoms are just the latest obstacles in a troubled season for Paulo Dybala thus far.
The Argentine, who was supposed to be the driving force behind Roma’s attack, has instead become an increasingly difficult enigma to decipher.
Between physical setbacks, cautious management, and inconsistent performances, Roma has learned to do without its star player, even in the most crucial matches.
The numbers tell a stark story. He’s played just 479 minutes in the first 13 Serie A matchdays, compared to at least 411 missed due to injury. This is the lowest figure of his Italian career at this stage of the season, worse even than his rookie years at Palermo.
Never since he wore the Giallorossi jersey has Dybala been so rarely present on the pitch. Gasperini is forced to constantly reshape the attack, aware that Dybala’s condition is a constant unknown.
Against Midtjylland and Napoli, the Argentine appeared far from his ideal form. Against the Danes, he avoided set pieces, even corners, his specialty. It’s likely that “La Joya” won’t feel free to finish.
Roma, which was supposed to revolve around its class, has had to turn the page, relying on alternative and, often, emergency solutions. Dybala has become a player to be managed rather than developed.
It’s therefore not surprising, writes Corriere della Sera, that the club has yet to address the issue of renewing his contract, which expires at the end of the season.
At the moment, talking about the future is out of place, especially given the constraints imposed by Financial Fair Play.
Management will postpone any evaluation until the end of the season, when they can assess Dybala’s actual contribution, both technically and physically.
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