Paulo Dybala: The Palermo youngster that looks set to make an impact

Losing your star striker to suspension is going to make any trip to the San Siro that much harder. It’s exactly what happened with Palermo during their weekend clash with Inter Milan on Sunday. With Gian Piero Gasperini set to take on his former club for the first time since being sacked last year, the veteran boss would also be doing so without the services of captain and top scorer Fabrizio Miccoli.

It was no surprise to see Palermo succumb to defeat, although it wasn’t necessarily deserved - a Santiago Garcia own goal proving the difference between the two sides. However, the Rosanero would be buoyed on by the performance of one man on Sunday afternoon - that of Paulo Dybala.

The teenage Argentine was a constant thorn in the side of the experienced Walter Samuel and imperious Andrea Ranocchia, constantly drifting between the two to create space and opportunities for himself and his teammates.

At just 19, one wouldn’t have been surprised to see the striker shy away from the encounter in awe of the mountainous task in front of him. But Dybala took it all within his stride and was unlucky not to have found the scoresheet himself, a last ditch Ranocchia challenge and an effort that was constantly rising drifting over after robbing Walter Gargano of possession.

Either way, the former Instituto de Cordoba looks like a real player and could well be an asset to Gasperini as the season draws on, especially with Palermo expected to be dragged into a relegation scrap as the campaign continues. 

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