11 September 2016
Paulo Dybala says he is relishing the opportunity for the Bianconeri to test themselves against Europe’s best this season, with their Champions League campaign kicking off on Wednesday night against Sevilla at Juventus Stadium.
The Argentine hotshot believes Massimiliano Allegri’s men were already strong contenders last time out and, following an impressive summer in the transfer market, is confident the team has precisely what it takes to stand toe-to-toe with other European heavyweights.
Speaking to the media today in Vinovo, he began: “I’m raring to go for this season’s Champions League. I think this team is at the level of Europe’s great sides, and also believed that last year.
"We had a great run and were just seconds away from knocking Bayern out. We’ve brought in important players and with the right mentality we’ll be able to go far.
“From Wednesday onwards I will give my all in these games and we hope we can treat the fans to all three points. Last year’s defeat in the final group game cost us the top spot I think we deserved, but now we need to forget that match and remember our first at home, which we won 2-0.”
Sevilla will be on red alert for the blossoming Dybala-Higuain partnership, which showed positive signs in Saturday’s 3-1 triumph over Sassuolo in Turin, and Dybala was quick to talk up the qualities possessed by his fellow Argentine assassin when quizzed by journalists.
“I really enjoy playing alongside Higuain, his movement makes it easy for me. Should there be the need, I think we could also play with Mandzukic as a three, and also said this after we tried it against Espanyol. This however is down to the boss to decide.”
Despite the multitude of plaudits received by the Bianconeri following yesterday’s whirlwind start to proceedings, during which they stormed into a three-goal lead inside 27 minutes, Dybala insists there is plenty more work to be done before the team is firing on all cylinders.
“The boss asked us to burst out of the blocks and put Sassuolo under pressure early on. Then we eased off and perhaps with an extra goal or three-goal lead at the break it would have been a lot more straightforward. We must improve in this aspect and concede less.”
