A thunderous strike against Dinamo Zagreb
Paulo Dybala had a miserable start to the 2016/17 season. Earlier that campaign, he was assigned a new position; the number 10 role behind the striker, and the Argentine was struggling to adjust. The Champions League fixture against Dinamo Zagreb, hence, came at a perfect time for La Joya.
Yet to score a goal in the new season, Dybala made the cut in Massimiliano Allegri’s starting XI against the Croatian outfit. Going into half-time, the Bianconeri were leading 2-0, thanks to goals from Miralem Pjanic and Gonzalo Higuain. But the goal Dybala had been searching for arrived in the second half. And what a goal it was!
Even the Zagreb supporters present in the stadium had not prevented themselves from putting their hands on the heads in utter awe after they saw Dybala net a 35-yard stunner in the 57th-minute of the game. The left-footed strike was so good and watchable that some didn’t hesitate to call the volley “Roberto Carlos-esque”.
Juve went on to win it convincingly, with Dybala receiving a heap of praise for his goal after the match. The game eventually proved to be a real confidence booster for La Joya, who ended the respective season as the highest scorer in the Coppa Italia. Per Fbref.com, he racked up 11 goals and seven assists in the league as well, retaining a place in Serie A’s Team of the Year.