ROME Aug 31 (BUS): That was exactly what Jose Mourinho had in mind when he lured Paulo Dybala to join Roma instead of a host of other suitors.
Dybala scored two goals in less than a quarter of an hour – his first goals since joining Roma after his contract with Juventus expired – and the Giallorossi beat promoted Silvio Berlusconi’s Monza 3-0 to advance to the top of the Italian league, the Associated Press reported.
“I had a great desire to score goals and fortunately they came here before our home fans,” Dybala said.
Dybala has been linked perfectly with striker Tammy Abraham, the first high-profile player Mourinho brought to Roma when the coach returned to Italy last year.
First, a header pass from Abraham put Dybala close to midfield and the Argentina international dodged the rest of the way before firing between two defenders.
Dybala’s second goal – his 100th in the first division – was a slip-and-slide attempt to hit a rebound from Abraham’s shot.
When Dybala went out during the second half, he shared a special moment with Mourinho.
Mourinho said: “Last season during the match against Juventus when he came out, I told him, ‘You’re fine’. “I told him the same thing today.”
The coach also noted that Dybala, who is frequently injured, will return to the squad ahead of the upcoming World Cup.
“This could be an indication of what is to come in November and December in Qatar,” Mourinho said. “Maybe (Argentina coach Lionel) Scaloni can send us some bottles of wine to celebrate having another great player.”
Center back Roger Ibanez made it 3-0 with a header from Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini’s corner.
In pursuit of more equipment after winning the inaugural Europa League title last season, Mourinho’s side took a one-point lead over Inter Milan, who beat rookie Cremonese 3-1 at San Siro.
Roma’s last Serie A title came in 2001.
“There is a positive feeling within the team, having won a big title, but it is still too early to talk about (the titles),” said Dybala.
The defending champions Milan had left two points behind after a 0-0 draw at Sassuolo before Saturday’s derby match with Inter – the team with which they wrestled at the top of the standings until the last day of last season.
Meanwhile, Berlusconi’s Monza remained at the bottom of the standings with zero points in his Serie A debut. Berlusconi, the former Italian prime minister and owner of Milan, bought Monza in 2018 and took the team out of Serie A.
inner rolls
With Romelu Lukaku injured, Joaquin Correa, Nicolo Parilla and Lautaro Martinez scored for Inter, the Nerazzurri rebounded from a lackluster 3-1 loss at Lazio.
Correa turned a rebound with Eden Deco’s shot, Parilla drilled into a long ball and then sent Parilla Martinez to finish off the counterattack.
David Okereke pulled one back for Cremonese in the closing minutes.
Milan graphics
It was a quieter finish for Milan than when they won their first Italian title in 11 years at Sassuolo on the final day of last season.
Amid an impending change of ownership, the Rossoneri came to light when goalkeeper Mike Minnan saved a penalty.
This was the second straight away draw for Milan, who are coming off their first Italian title in 11 years.
Maignan blocked a misguided Domenico Berardi penalty in the first half – marking his ninth save of the 29 he has faced since arriving in Serie A from Lille last year.
Italy striker Berardi was injured in the second half, while Milan left with 10 men in stoppage time when Alessandro Florenzi also came off injured, with all the squad’s substitutions already in use.
Earlier on Tuesday, it emerged that the New York Yankees are buying a minority stake in Milan as an investor alongside RedBird Capital Partners. The change of ownership is expected to close over the next couple of days, making for a busy week in preparation for the derby.
“The players already know the difficulties we faced today and this is an important aspect in terms of preparing for the derby,” said Milan coach Stefano Pioli. “The derby is the derby. The rivalry with Inter goes beyond the standings.”