How was Paulo Dybala’s debut in Mou’s Rome: shot on the post and Vaseline in the 1-0 against Salernitana

José Mourinho’s new Roma won this Sunday, without complications, against Salernitana on the first day of Serie A thanks to the only goal of the match scored by Bryan Cristante in the first half. Obviously all eyes were on the debut of the Argentine Paulo Dybala with the Roma shirt. And he respected.

A more than complete transfer market and an excellent pre-season have raised the expectations of this Roma, which is already leaving good sensations away from home against a rival yes, which despite having strengthened, was saved on the last day of relegation last season.

It was a monologue of Mou’s Roma at the beginning of this new season that thrilled the Roma ‘fans’ so much. The Portuguese coach did not want to speculate against a theoretically inferior team and put all the meat on the grill, with Pellegrini, Dybala, Zaniolo and Abraham making the difference in offensive actions.

But, football whims, it was the defensive midfielder who unlocked the game. Cristante, always fixed on the formations of Mou, a low-profile player appointed to let the others play and, now, the barbell of this most offensive Rome, threw a left from the edge of the field which, slightly deflected by a Salernitana defender, ended up by sneak into the opponent’s goal.

And if Zaniolo, Dybala and Pellegrini had already been able to find spaces before the goal, once the net was opened it was easier. The visiting team was about to face the changing room tunnel with a 0-2 advantage thanks to a powerful drive by Zaniolo, very active throughout the game, which ended with a pass filtered for Dybala but which the Argentine crashed on the post of the doorman I know. Later, Abraham did not take advantage of the rebound.

Good feelings in the first half in which Roma were able to condemn the match, with five obvious opportunities for danger.

What worked in the preseason continued to work. Rui Patricio, very sure between the posts, saved the few attempts of Salerno, well covered by a quick defensive line that works better and better. In addition, Kardosp and Spinazzola on the tracks have given the ‘Giallorossi’ a lot of travel and depth.

The second half is a bit tougher, but Roma continue to lead. Dybala has always had more than one mark on him, but he managed to get in tune with his teammates and improve circulation in a good debut with the ‘Loba’ shirt. And if in the first half he found himself with the stick, at the beginning of the second half he stepped over the goalkeeper with a thin Vaseline which, however, was deflected slightly.

Mou then brought in his midfield signings, Matic and Wijnaldum, and tried out several formations during the final stages of a match under control. Dybala finished with a false nine before giving way to El Sharaawy.

Mou’s new ‘Loba’ has passed more and less, in a game that he had in his pocket from the beginning, but which left, once again, excellent individual and collective sensations that invite his followers to dream of a season, at least, competitive, and in which they can reach positions in the Champions League.

With information from EFE