Juventus star, Paulo Dybala has rediscovered his scoring
form just in time as he renews his rivalry with fellow Argentine, Lionel Messi
in today’s Champions League clash with Barcelona, reports AFP.
The 30-year-old Messi scored two goals to help Barcelona to
a comfortable 3-0 win over Juventus, last season’s finalists, at the Nou Camp
in September. Messi then scored a hat-trick in Ecuador to carry Argentina
through to the 2018 World Cup.
Dybala was on the substitute’s bench in Quito but the
24-year-old will be on the field in Turin where a win will ensure Juventus reaches
the knockout rounds.
Barcelona lead Group D by three points with two rounds to
go, and Ernesto Valverde’s side need only a draw to advance as group winners.
Dybala made a record-setting start to the Serie A season
with 10 goals in six games before suffering a dip in form.He got back on the
score sheet in the final seconds of Sunday’s 3-2 loss at Sampdoria, to bring
his tally to 12 goals in 13 games.Since arriving in Turin from Palermo in 2015,
the player dubbed “The Jewel” has scored 56 goals in 112 games. But he has yet
to open his tally in Europe this term.
Messi has hit three in the Champions League this season to
join Ronaldo in the exclusive club of players who have scored 100 goals in
European competition. Diminutive, dynamic and with a deadly left foot like his
idol, Dybala names Messi as a source of inspiration, although he has also
spoken about how difficult it is to play alongside the superstar in the
Argentine national team.
Dybala said he had been misinterpreted, adding that Messi
had laughed off the comments when he tried to explain.“Leo is like Maradona for
those of our generation,” Dybala told France Football. “For me it’s an honour
to play with him in the national team.’’
“He dragged us to the World Cup with the hat-trick in
Ecuador. He is a born leader.”Dybala has said that he would like one day play
alongside Messi’s former Barcelona team-mate Neymar Jr. The pair have long been
tipped as heirs to Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who have dominated world
soccer’s annual awards in recent years.
“I have to work to improve and win trophies. Once, in front
of a bonfire with friends we all made a wish – my own was to win the Ballon
d’Or.”As for his future at six-time defending Serie A champions, he added: “In
football you never know, but I’m not thinking of going away.”
Barca are in top form having won 11 and drawn one of 12
domestic matches this season to sit four points ahead of Valencia in La
Liga.Juventus, after their setback at Sampdoria, are third in Serie A.
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