Argentine Star Targets Parma, Aims for Three Points and First Home Serie A Goal at the Olimpico
At 31, Paulo Dybala seems to have rediscovered his early playing style, a carefree football that fully showcases his talent. In the “false nine” position, he has the freedom to create and invent plays within the opponent`s penalty area. It`s a new version of “La Joya.”
With the season well underway and Roma leading the league, Dybala is poised to reclaim the spotlight at the Olimpico. The playmaker aims to score his first home league goal and lead Roma to a much-needed home victory, a feat not achieved in over a month (since September 28 against Verona). This win is crucial to keep pace with Napoli and return to the top of the standings alongside the reigning champions. Dybala seeks to break two jinxes at once: his home scoring drought and the recent string of defeats against Inter and Viktoria Plzen (four in total, including Torino and Lille). The team will once again revolve around him as they face Parma, an opponent likely to adopt a defensive approach, looking for quick counter-attacks.
A State of Grace
In front of 60,000 enthusiastic fans, Gasperini`s Roma is determined to secure a comprehensive victory and inspire its supporters. The coach will once again deploy Dybala as the central attacker, supported by Soulé and Pellegrini in the attacking midfield, a tactic previously used against Sassuolo. In their last three home encounters against Parma, the Giallorossi have demonstrated significant attacking prowess, scoring 10 goals (5-0 last year, 3-0 in 2021, and 2-1 in 2020). This, combined with the sweet memory of the 2001 Scudetto, contributes to an electrifying atmosphere filled with new enthusiasm and dreams of greatness in the capital`s yellow and red quarter.
Gasperini has clearly articulated his expectations for Paulo: he wants this to be the most brilliant season of his career. Scoring today would mean, for the talented player from Laguna Larga, re-establishing a significant connection with matches against Parma, as his last league goal at home was precisely against them, in the 5-0 victory on December 22, 2024. Thus, Dybala is once again at the center of attention after his decisive goal at the Mapei Stadium on Sunday. Among the concrete personal and professional goals for the soon-to-be father (his wife Oriana is expecting) are everything a man and a player could desire: family, consistent physical fitness, a leadership and goal-scoring role for Roma, contract renewal with the club, and ultimately, a World Cup with Argentina that would fill him with immense pride. Coach Lionel Scaloni, for his part, continuously monitors him, and seeing him in peak form would provide even more selection variety to enhance the national team`s offensive threat.
On the Field
Therefore, against Parma, Dybala will be the key and most closely watched player in a highly significant match. He will link up with his compatriot Soulé and the versatile Pellegrini (contending with Bailey), replicating the light attacking trident Gasperini utilized at Atalanta with Ilicic, Gomez, and Pasalic, while awaiting Dovbyk and Ferguson to regain their goal-scoring prowess and prominent roles. Another doubt concerns the left wing, where Wesley, who has formed a strong bond with Paulo during his time in Rome, might be deployed. Nevertheless, the decisive player remains Dybala, who more than anyone else embodies the spirit of the Giallorossi faithful. He aims to stay with the club long-term, seeking a contract extension (with a renegotiation of his current €8 million salary) which now seems increasingly within reach. From “I wish I could but I can`t” to “where there`s a will there`s a way,” the magical playmaker remains unchanged. Just like when everything comes easily in youth: all it takes is being free, feeling free. Just like 31-year-old Paulo.
