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Despite making a slow start to the season, newly promoted Palermo have grown in confidence to a huge extent. Their horrible defence haunted them as Palermo had failed to hold on the leads in their opening three games of the season against Sampdoria, Hellas Verona and Inter respectively. Earning a point after going two goals down in the opening 10 minutes of the game against attack-enriched Napoli telecasted the Rosanero’s fighting spirit.
When following Palermo’s campaign, it is easy to spot Paulo Dybala as the Aquile’s significant performer. Dybala’s contributions have alone secured 18 points of the acquired 35 so far for Palermo this season.
Moving to Palermo in 2012 after a highly successful season in the Argentine second division with Instituto, Dybala’s opportunities in his maiden season at Sicily were limited because of the veteran Fabrizio Miccoli. Following the departure of Miccoli in 2013, Dybala’s partnership along with Abel Hernandez and Andrea Belotti upfront has earned the promotion for the Aquile back to Serie A with Palermo emerging as Serie B winners.
Like to keep things simple: Dybala
Dybala is a natural footballer. The 20-year old has shown amazing qualities that cannot be manually taught. Dybala’s finishing qualities, movements on and off the ball and crossing abilities make him a top footballer. The Argentine’s skills while moving forward and tendency to get past the defenders often push journalists to compare him with Sergio Aguero.
Dybala has already scored 13 goals this season and has seven assists under his name.
According to Whoscored.com, Dybala has possessed the passing accuracy of 82.5% in this Serie A campaign and average 1.5 key passes per game. The Argentine has made 2.7 dribbles per game and been fouled 2.6 times per game, with seven in the dangerous areas of increasing the possibility of scoring. He averages 3.6 shots on goal per game.
Speaking to the Argentine newspaper La Manana, Dybala once said: “I always try to keep it simple. One or two touches and then I look for the return ball. And I also run to win the ball back. I would like to handle the set pieces as well, but that’s difficult at the moment.”
Versatility to pair with any strike partner
In the first three games, coach, Giuseppe Lachini played 3-5-2 with Dybala and Franco Vazquez upfront. But considering the lack of efficiency in moving forward, Vazquez was pulled back to midfield and Andrea Belotti was brought back to the line-up to lead the attack with Dybala for the Napoli game.
Despite conceding two goals within 10 minutes of the game, Belotti’s partnership with Dybala secured a point for Palermo, which was just a symbolic representation to highlight Dybala’s versatility to pair with anyone upfront.
Pairing up with Vazquez, Belotti and the new acquisition, Joao Silva, Dybala’s role is very important for Palermo to finish in the first half of the Serie A table, which will possibly lead him to greener pastures with many of Europe’s top clubs reportedly keeping a watchful eye on the Aquile’s destructive weapon.
