Paulo Dybala's much-anticipated return to form has hit yet another hurdle after the Argentine forward sustained a knee injury during AS Roma's Europa League playoff match against FC Porto. The injury reared its head just 40 minutes after kickoff, and the incident has left the football club and its fans on edge about the player’s future availability.
The match at Estádio do Dragão was already shaping up to be a competitive affair when disaster struck for Roma. Dybala, who has been instrumental for the Giallorossi this season, was challenged aggressively by Porto's Gonzalo Varela at the 20-minute mark. The foul drew the ire of referee, resulting in Varela receiving a yellow card. The intervention, described by commentators as reckless, directly impacted Dybala's left leg, and it soon became evident the injury was serious.
Despite initial attempts to shake off the injury, it became increasingly clear to both Dybala and the team's medical staff over the next 20 minutes, as he struggled to maintain his composure on the pitch. Around the 39th minute, Dybala could bear it no longer and fell to the ground, requesting immediate medical attention. "Dybala seemed to have recovered after the initial blow, but at the 39th minute he collapsed, calling for medical assistance," reported by Italian sports media.
Subsequently, Dybala was unable to continue and was replaced by Tommaso Baldanzi. Dybala exited visibly distressed, covering his face with his shirt as he walked off the pitch, his deep disappointment palpable. "He left the pitch visibly upset, covering his face with his shirt, expressing his distress over the injury," noted reports from Corriere dello Sport.
The ramifications of the injury could be severe for Roma. Dybala has been the club's standout performer, helping to keep the team competitive across various competitions this term. His injury now exposes Claudio Ranieri's squad to considerable scrutiny before their upcoming fixtures. On February 14th, the team will conduct examinations to ascertain the true extent of Dybala's knee injury, particularly whether he is facing just a severe contusion or something more grievous.
Reports suggest the medical staff is cautiously optimistic, as initial assessments seem to rule out major ligament damage typical of more severe knee injuries. "The injury, caused by Varela’s reckless challenge, raised immediate concerns among Roma's staff about Dybala’s availability for upcoming matches," highlighted Gazzetta dello Sport.
Compounding the situation, Dybala's prospects for the next leg of the playoff against Porto—which is scheduled for February 21—remain up in the air. The disappointment has settled over the Roma camp, not least because the attacking play often revolves around Dybala's skillset. It would be implausible to think they can progress comfortably without their star player.
Given Dybala’s ability to change the course of matches, fans will be hoping for good news from the medical examinations. Should Dybala be ruled out for this upcoming match, it would mark yet another challenge for Ranieri as he looks to guide his team through the pressure-packed knockout rounds of European competition.
For the time being, all eyes are on the medical team as they evaluate Dybala's condition over the coming days. The outcome here could significantly influence not just Dybala's season but also Roma's fortunes as they strive for success both domestically and on the European front.