Dybala: two special weeks ended in "Joya" against Inter

Two special weeks, those experienced by Paulo Dybala and - consequently - also by all the Roma fans, apprehensive about the conditions of the Argentine. Two weeks that, however, ended in “Joya” at San Siro, when with a left-footed volley the star forward folded Handanovic's hands and sealed the momentary 1-1 Giallorossi draw. The first brick in the comeback that led Mourinho's boys to win at Inter five years after the last time, a masterstroke that made the 28-year-old from Laguna Larga famous all over the world.

His singular two weeks began on Sunday the 18th when, a few minutes before the start of the match against Atalanta, the Argentine was forced to forfeit in the warm-up: a flexor problem forced him to sit in the stands, to watch his teammates' good performance, which ended, however, in defeat. Then Dybala responded to the summons of the Argentine national team. He engaged in the two friendly matches against Honduras and Jamaica: the medical staff examined him and in the end, it was decided that Paulo would remain with his compatriots. From the training camp, he declared, "Better to skip a game than risk being out for a month." A precautionary stop, then. But when Albiceleste coach Scaloni left him in the stands for the second match as well, the feeling was that the "Joya" against Inter could at most start from the bench. "He is at a very good level - Scaloni's words - and he wanted to play, but we preferred not to risk him." Better that way, given the results.

"Mascherina", I recognize you

Spinazzola 's invitation in the 39th minute, with Roma just underneath for Dimarco's goal, was too greedy to let slip away. It was a volley with his left foot, perfect coordination, Handanovic intercepts but can't hold onto the ball, which goes in. On the “Dybala mask,” for the fifth time in the first nine games wearing the Giallorossi jersey: a devastating impact, Paulo in the capital. Still, however, in the heat of the game, he had to surrender to cramps in the 58th minute, leaving the field to Abraham. From the bench, like a fan, he witnessed the victory signed by Smalling, cheering and then suffering together with Foti and the others. After the match, on Instagram Paulo posted a photo of pure "Joya," in the locker room, with Mou, Abraham, Belotti, Smalling, Camara and Zalewski: "Very happy for the victory," he wrote, "in a difficult field like San Siro. A magnificent performance, let's continue like this."