Dybala: 'Lost without the ball'

By Football Italia staff

Juventus forward Paulo Dybala reveals “there are few things I like more than giving assists” and how “I want to be on the ball. I’m lost without it.”

Dybala was forced out wide by Max Allegri last season to accommodate Cristiano Ronaldo, but he has been played more centrally by Maurizio Sarri, already bettering his haul of two assists from the previous campaign.

“It’s difficult to separate the person from the player. I am quiet, both in private and on the field,” continued the 26-year-old to El Pais.

“On the field, however, I want to be on the ball. I’m lost without it. I have to touch it; I need to be involved in the action. I think it’s a necessity.

“A goal is a goal, of course, but there are few things that I like more than giving assists. To embrace your teammate after setting them up is as beautiful as scoring.

The attacker’s friends told him he was unlucky to be second in line to Lionel Messi for Argentina and now Ronaldo at Juventus, so does he find them a hindrance or helpful?

“I told them that, for me, it’s an advantage. I can study them every day. Who wouldn’t want to work with the best?

“We are talking about two phenomenal players, one or two steps above the rest of the players, both at a footballing and mental level.”

“It’s not easy to keep up such rhythm and score 40 goals every season.

“I have a great relationship with Cristiano, we talk a lot. We talk about Juve, about the national team and about stuff that doesn’t have anything to do with football.

“It’s the same with Leo. Our relationship has grown a lot. At a club you see each other every day, it’s not the same in the national team.”

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