In Rome, everything revolves around Paulo Dybala. The Eternal City was swept with excitement on Thursday evening when the Argentine announced that he would be staying in Rome. The enthusiasm lingers, and the atmosphere is even more electrified ahead of tonight’s match against Empoli at the Stadio Olimpico. The stadium is sold out for the 58th time since the Friedkin family bought Roma. Initially, it was believed that Mourinho’s charisma was filling the Olimpico, but since the trend has continued even after his departure from Trigoria, it is clearly due to another reason. But, unlike the fans, there is a disticntive feeling that the sporting sector (including coach Daniele De Rossi) is a bit dissapointed. Not only he is expective in terms of his wage, but this is also his last year in Rome and they now must negotiate a new contract or risk loosing him in 2025 on a free transfer.La Joya, welcome to the pantheon of Roman deities!They even bought his replacement Soule and now the pair is matched togehter. However, De Rossi, a Roma legend himself was not able to do anything else but to admit that Dybala’s move was extraordinary.“We are sure the fans will back us and they would have done it anyway. He rejected a lot of money, which is unusual in football. He made this decision for the love of Roma fans and the team. I think that it’s a nice story and not so common in football“ said De Rossi ahead of the match.Ivorian ace waiting for Dybala’s decisionThe next big question was if both Dybala nad Soule can play together.“The way I see 4-3-3 is with two wide men, which is tricky to ask Paulo. We’ll have to change something if he Dybala plays. And if he plays with Matias, he’ll have to change something, too. But they can play together. Quality players must play together. Sometimes, only one of them will start. Other times, none of them. There are other talented players here” responded De Rossi.##NAJAVA_MECA_8290475##Let’s not forget that even if Roma decides that they don’t want to renew Dybala, he can still trigger an automatic one-year extension, but only if he plays at least 45 minutes in 15 games separate games this season. Now, the coach can always take him out of the game so that he never reaches that number….“I am the coach, and I will manage Dybala as such. I am a coach, and I won’t think about the clauses. Paulo has remained here and will be treated like every other player. Paulo knows what I think. Before all this became public, we often talked about our ideas“ explained De Rossi.SERIE A MATCHDAY 2SaturdayUdinese – Lazio 2-1 (1-0)/Lucca 5, Thauvin 49 – Isaksen 90+5/Parma – Milan 2-1 (1-0)/Man 2, Cancellieri 77 – Pulisic 66/Monza – Genoa 0-1 (0-1)/Pinamonti 45+7/Inter – Lecce 2-0 (1-0)/Darmian 5, Calhanoglu 69 pen/Sunday19:30: (3.15) Torino (3.35) Atalanta (2.45)19:30: (1.43) Fiorentina (4.50) Venezia (7.50)21:45: (1.53) Roma (4.10) Empoli (6.50)21:45: (1.95) Napoli (3.45) Bologna (4.00)Monday19:30: (2.20) Cagliari (3.50) Como (3.50)21:45: (5.40) Verona (3.60) Juventus (1.70)***odds are subject to change***
