Juventus-Barcelona Fed up of comparisons

Lippi: Dybala won't go the same way as Pogba

Cuadrado: Juventus must be at 105 percent versus Barcelona

At just 23, and in a Juventus dressing room with players such as Gianluigi Buffon and Gonzalo Higuain, Paulo Dybala feels loved and important but, ahead of the Champions League clash with Barcelona, wants the comparisons with countryman Lionel Messi to stop.

The Bianconeri will look to the youngster for much of their attacking thrust and, if the game goes as he would like, he'll finally be able to step out of La Pulga's shadow.

As we approach the tie with Barcelona, how are you?

"Happy. After the injury and losing out on games with the national team, I had a good performance on Saturday. I played for 90 minutes which gave me confidence and put me in good shape for the Barcelona game. I think the match comes at the right time because we're playing better than them."

You look optimistic.

"We are in our best moment of the season. That's what I see after eliminating Napoli in the Coppa Italia and having won against Chievo and Sampdoria in Serie A. Games like Barcelona are motivational for us."

Juventus did their homework, unlike Barcelona who lost at Malaga and made winning LaLiga more complicated as a result.

"You have to make changes when you play in the league and then the Champions League straight after. Barcelona will absolutely want to recover from the defeat [against Malaga], but we're a very strong team at home."

In spite of that, is not it a little scary to pit yourself against a team that came back from 4-0 down?

"We shouldn't be afraid of anything. Respect, yes, but not fear. This is the best time to confront Barcelona. They came back against Paris Saint-Germain, but PSG didn't play that match as they should. The 6-1 serves as a lesson to everyone, and I say it before playing the first leg against them."

It will be the first time you face Leo Messi.

"I respect and admire him a lot, but I play for Juve and Leo for Barcelona. I will do my best to win."

Is he one of your biggest reference points in the game?

"I watch Barcelona because I have always liked their style of play, and now with Leo even more. He has won many Champions Leagues and I have none. I want this to be my first one."

It's not difficult to find parallels between you and Messi. Same position, you both came to Europe very young... does it bother you that in Argentina you are considered his successor?

"People have to know that I am not Messi. I am Dybala and I want to only be Dybala, although I understand that there are comparisons. There's only one Messi, as there was only one Maradona. You can't replace players like them and it's a huge burden that people have expectations about me. I will try to give maximum effort in every game - including those that Leo can't play for the national team."

Can you imagine playing at the Camp Nou as a venue one day?

"[Pause and sigh] Three years ago, in Palermo, I didn't think I would go to Juve. Therefore, I enjoy the day-to-day and I don't think beyond that. I am happy here, where everyone loves me very much."

Your face lights up when you talk about Barcelona.

"It's because we Argentines feel very identified with Messi. He is an idol, I've always said that and, well, in the club there are other great players, such as Neymar."

What virtues and what defects does this Barcelona have?

"The best players are their forwards. No need to talk about them. The worst thing is that they are a team that suffers when they don't have the ball. We must try to take it away and prevent them from playing their natural game."

Busquets...

"He's the one that makes the team tick, but Barcelona have many other options. The coach will find the best solution. Even the goalkeeper, with the quality he has, could play there!"

I was just going to ask about Marc-Andre ter Stegen...

"He has a great calmness on the ball and can play with both feet. That's all training because a Barcelona goalkeeper has to be prepared for that; look at Victor Valdes for example. For us, Buffon is a colossus in his position. What Gigi has done hasn't been achieved by anyone."

Your team has a lot of experienced players in it. What has Dani Alves said to you about Barcelona?

"I have a good friendship with him, we always talk a lot. I ask him things about Barcelona because he obviously knows them very well and I always try to listen to him, lean on him. He has a great right foot and plays in an area that works for me. Remember, he already gave so many assists to Messi."

Alves played for Barcelona in the 2015 final (3-1). Do you want revenge for Juve?

"Everyone really wants to play and we have high expectations. We know the pressure is not on us and we will give our best. It's one of the most important games of my life."

Do you need to score a big goal in Europe?

"It's true that if I score against Barcelona, everyone will see it. Although it's more important to win the tie. Scoring gives you confidence, but giving assists does too."

Last year you averaged half a goal per game and this season you already have 14. Between you and Higuain, you're dismantling the myth that in Italy it's difficult to score...

"It's not easy to score goals in Italy. Here the teams keep defending even if you're winning 2-0 [laughs]. It's not like Spain or England. With Gonzalo we always say that it's not enough to score one. We understand each other very well, as if we had been playing together for five years. I interpret his movements and our relationship off the pitch helps us to function better on it."

You have undoubtedly contributed to Juve's 47 undefeated matches at home.

"Yes, but it's also about people. The stadium is always full, whether in the league or cup, and the opponent gets nervous when we're on top and there's a lot of noise in the stands."

If you score against Barcelona, will you celebrate with the mask?

"Yeah, I will. It's how I've been celebrating my goals since I missed a penalty in the Supercoppa Italiana. I won't change now."