14 March 2016
Clear ideas and confidence can often be the key to success in life and in football. Paulo Dybala’s wonder strike against Sassuolo last Friday represents a perfect case in point of how a well-rehearsed manoeuvre can sometimes be all that is required to break down awkward opposition and deliver three valuable points.
“It’s something I’ve been trying out in training and that I look to replicate in matches,” the 22-year-old talent told the Sky Sport and Mediaset cameras on Monday. “It’s a shot that I like because when I set off from the right, I look to cut in on my left foot and shoot, aiming for the far post which is harder for the keeper to cover.”
Maintaining a clear train of thought under pressure and following it through to the letter is precisely what Dybala is promoting from his side ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash away to Bayern Munich, as well as a calculated, aggressive streak in exploiting any errors the hosts happen to make.
“We need to keep calm, knowing that it will be tough but that we can get through by playing as we did for the final half-hour of the first leg and taking full advantage of the chances that come our way.
“We’ll look to get in their faces and not give them too much space, as Bayern have the ability to force you back. If you watch their Bundesliga matches you can see that they often push all ten of their outfield players into the final third.
“The flipside is that they essentially play with four forwards and so leave some room in behind. We need to attack that space and cause them as much damage on the counter-attack as possible, because if you let them settle into their stride they’ll score sooner or later. We’ve the right conviction and self-belief to test our mettle in matches like these.”
Asked whether the Bianconeri’s European exploits threatened to impact negatively on their domestic campaigns, Dybala pointed to last year’s achievements as proof that the club was capable of competing keenly on multiple fronts.
He concluded: “Juventus almost won the Champions League last year, whilst also celebrating the league and cup double. Of course I’d like to win everything, but at least claiming three out of the four trophies on offer, including the Super Cup in Shanghai, would be a satisfying return.”
