Paulo Dybala has said he is working on his “chemistry” with Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus.
Dybala scored a hat trick in his side’s 3-0 Champions League win over Swiss side Young Boys on Tuesday, a game Ronaldo missed through suspension, and said the players “need to be focused with or without Cristiano.”
The Argentina international has had to play second fiddle to the Portugal captain for much of the season but said they were “working on improving our chemistry” in order to play together more frequently.
Dybala said he was delighted with his performance in Juve’s first game without their star summer signing, telling Sky Sport Italia: “I needed a night like this.
“Of course everybody wants to be playing all the time. Last year it was the opposite — I started really well and then dropped off, but I’ve been working really hard.”
Much of the stadium remained quiet on Tuesday in protest at punishments imposed on the club when racial insults were heard during the weekend win over Napoli.
Juve fans also appeared to protest against the decision not to offer general manager Beppe Marotta a new contract.
Ten minutes before half-time, Marotta’s name was chanted and applauded. He was not present — a rarity since his arrival at the club in 2010.
“Marotta has been very important for Juventus, not just for the club but also for all of us directors,” vice president Pavel Nedved told Sky before the match.
“We’ve learned a lot from him and I would like to thank him because he’s been fantastic, particularly with me. It’s going to be difficult without Marotta, but Juve move on.”