Dybala's hat trick brings down Torino

At one of the last trainings before the Roma – Torino game, a member or Ivan Jurić’s coaching staff was seen behind the tree, spying on Daniele De Rossi’s tactics. After he was escorted by the police and became the main news in Italia today, his mission was nothing but the failure, since one man had his day – Paolo Dybala. The Argentinian forward is finally injury free and with the new and (attackingly) improved De Rossi’s tactics he is showing his best displays in a long time. And tonight he was unstoppable and made Jurić’s spying totally useless as he scored a hat trick (his fourth in Serie A) in a 3-2 win over Torino. In a tough game against a tricky opponent, who set up defensively, this was a time for Dybala to shine and with two great goals (and one penalty) his individual qualities won this game for Daniele De Rossi.

For this match, Roma’s coach brought back the 3-5-2 Jose Mourinho tactics, which he ditched for 4-3-3, apparently due to Chris Smalling’s return to the starting lineup for the first time since September 1, or maybe due to Torino’s assistant appearance at the training ground, he also rested Romelu Lukaku but all that doesn’t matter since he had Paolo Dybala in the team. It was not pretty, Torino slowed down Roma, but they couldn’t find a way to stop the former Juventus striker. When the game was tied at 1-1, he blasted a volley from 20 meters right at the bottom corner for the second lead, before using the great Romelu Lukaku assist and finished from a tight angle for the elusive 3-1.

First half was not so interesting but both teams had their chances before the goal. Roma misses a fantastic opportunity, but Kristensen somehow managed to hit the upright of an open goal! Then Torino had a fantastic opportunity. Bellanova crossed the ball which came to Ricci at the back post, but his half-volley hit the side-netting only. Roma probably wouldn’t score a goal if it wasn’t for Sazonov’s clumsy tackle. Sardar Azmoun was just inside the area and was looking for a pass from Cristante but Torino player made a take tackle and Paolo Dybala was precise from the penalty spot in the 42nd minute. But the guests fought back just after two minutes. It was again Bellanova with a cross from the right, but this time it was Zapata instead of Ricci and his header went into the far bottom corner for an equalizer. But everything changed in the second half with Dybala’s fantastic goals and Torino could do nothing about it anymore. In fact, the late score (88th minute) was Huijsen’s own goal which changed nothing until the end, although it was visible that Roma players were nervous and wanted the game to finish soon.

SERIE A

Friday

Bologna - Verona 2-0 (1-0)

/Fabbian 27, Freuler 65/

Saturday

Sassuolo - Empoli 2-3 (0-1)

/Pinamonti 54 pen, Ferrari 77 - Luperto 11, Niang 64 pen, Bastoni 90+4/

Salernitana - Monza 0-2 (0-0)

/Maldini 78, Pessina 83/

Genoa - Udinese 2-0 (2-0)

/Retegui 36, Bani 40/

Sunday

Juventus - Frosinone 3-2 (2-2)

/Vlahovic 3, 32, Rugani 90+5 - Cheddira 14, Brescianini 27/

Cagliari - Napoli 1-1 (0-0)

/Luvumbo 90+6 - Osimhen 65/

Lecce - Inter 0-4 (0-1)

/Lautaro 15, 56, Frattessi 54, De Vrij 67/

Milan - Atalanta 1-1 (1-1)

/Leao 3 - Koopmeiners 42 pen/

Monday

Roma - Torino 3-1 (1-1)

/Dybala (p) 42, 57, 69 - Zapata 44/

22.45: (2.40) Fiorentina (3.35) Lazio (3.25)

***odds are subject to change