Roma's Perfect Streak at the Feet of Paulo Dybala

MILAN, SATURDAY – The 2025-2026 season has the potential to be a redemption season for Paulo Dybala. Under the management of Gian Piero Gasperini, "La Joya" is not only crucial for the team's performance but also provides goal contributions for Roma. Dybala's sharpness is key for "The Wolves" to maintain their perfect trend at home against AC Milan, at the San Siro Stadium, on Monday (3/11/2025) at 02:45 WIB.

Roma has collected two consecutive victories in Serie A to keep pace with Napoli in the ninth week. Only an inferior goal difference places Roma in second position, despite both teams having 21 points, alongside the defending champions.

That positive momentum has emerged thanks to Dybala's physical condition recovery. He scored the only goal in Roma's victory over Sassuolo, and then the Argentine player provided an assist to open Roma's lead against Parma.

In addition to his goal contributions in the last two matches, Dybala has already proven his important role for the Wolves since returning to the pitch against Inter Milan on October 19. The player wearing the number 21 jersey has played four consecutive matches as a starter for Roma.

In that quartet of matches, Dybala has consistently been recorded as the player who creates the most opportunities. La Joya has generated 20 chances in the last four games. This means he averages five opportunities per game.

Not to be outdone, Dybala is the attacking player of Roma who most frequently executes successful dribbles. An average of four successful dribbles per match is evidence that Dybala still possesses a magical touch with the ball at his feet.

These statistics prove that Dybala's role is unmatched by other Roma attacking players. He is also adept at playing in various positions in attack. Dybala's best position is as a playmaker or shadow striker, positioned behind Roma's lone striker. However, the 31-year-old is also comfortable playing as a false nine.

"I have never doubted that Dybala is a forward. My doubts are actually about other players. Dybala can play as a central forward, a supporting forward; the most important thing is not to make him play too wide," said Gasperini as reported on Saturday (1/11/2025).

In the match against Milan, Dybala has the potential to start as a false nine. Evan Ferguson's injury, sustained against Parma, means the Brighton & Hove Albion loanee will be without around two players. Gasperini, on the other hand, lacks confidence in Artem Dovbyk, Roma's other striker.

I continue to strive to enhance the abilities of all players. I am working to find solutions in the attacking line. We have not been effective enough in that area, even though we hold a good position in the standings.

Dybala will likely be joined by Matias Soule and Neil El Aynaoui in attack to break down Milan's defense. The trio's task is to help the Wolves take home three points from San Siro. This will help Roma compete for the title (capolista), or top spot, and maintain their 100 percent away record in Serie A.

Gasperini acknowledges that he is still searching for the best formula for Roma's attacking play. Although they have secured seven victories in nine league matches, the Wolves have yet to display the ferocity characteristic of top teams.

Roma has only scored 10 goals, making them the team with the lowest productivity in the top 10. In fact, Lazio and Udinese, sitting in 11th and 12th place, have scored 11 goals.

For Gasperini, the role of a forward is not solely to score goals. He demands that the forwards be able to create space in the final third of the opponent's defense, thereby providing opportunities for the two midfielders, namely Bryan Cristante and Kouadio Kone, to approach the opponent's defensive line.

"I continue to strive to enhance the abilities of all players. I am working to find solutions in the attacking line. We have not been effective enough in that area, even though we hold a good position in the standings," said Gasperini.

Furthermore, Gasperini does not place too much pressure on his team to remain at the top of the standings. With a long competition ahead, Gasperini's main demand for the Roma squad is to show improved performance in every match.

"On Sunday we will head to Milan. If we win, we will remain at the top. If not, we will fight again in the next match," said 67-year-old Gasperini.

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri is also facing challenges in finding a solution to his sluggish attack. Center forward Santiago Gimenez is injured, and Christian Pulisic remains sidelined with a hamstring problem.

Another key player, Rafael Leao, has already participated in training, despite having faced an issue at the top of his thigh during the 1-1 draw against Atalanta on Wednesday (29/10/2025). Allegri has the opportunity to rely on Leao as a central striker against Roma. He could be supported by midfielders Ruben Loftus-Cheek or Christopher Nkunku, both of whom have also just recovered from injuries.

"Our goal is to play well in attack to convert our chances into goals. We also have to avoid conceding goals from situations we could have anticipated," Allegri told Sky Sport Italia.

For "I Rossoneri," three points will help them equal the points held by Roma in order to maintain competition at the top of the table. Should they fail to win, Milan risks being approached by teams below them, such as Como, Bologna, and Juventus.