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Roma: Mourinho backs Dybala to shine in ’emotional’ Juventus return

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The Argentine star will face his former side in Serie A clash this weekend.

Jose Mourinho expects Paulo Dybala to overcome his emotions when Roma meet Juventus on Saturday.

Dybala ended his seven-year spell at Juventus before joining the Giallorossi as a free agent.

Having started the season with back to back victories, Dybala and co must face Juventus in their next league game.

Asked about Dybala’s return to Turin, Mourinho said: “It depends on the personality of the individual. For some players coming home is nothing, for others it is difficult. For others it is 50-50. 

“For Paulo I don’t know, he has the face of a child but he is not. He has a lot of experience, then the control of his emotions depends on him. 

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“From how he worked these days I have not seen anything different. I expect a normal game, maybe with a little more emotion than before.”

The statement signings of Dybala, Georginio Wijnaldum, and Nemanja Matic have convinced many observers to consider Roma among the top favourites to win the Scudetto.

Dybala is yet to score his maiden Serie A goal for the Giallorossi but Mourinho believes he’s quickly adapting to life at the Olimpico Stadium.

“For me it is very good,” Mourinho added on Dybala’s start at Roma.

“I did not expect more at the moment. In the last two years he has had little continuity. He did not start the pre-season like the others, he arrived late. 

“At the [Stadio] Olimpico playing on that surface is really hard, it’s like running on a Portuguese beach! I see him well and with good character.”

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