Juventus forward Paulo Dybala admits that he wants to be on the ball more and be more involved in the action on the pitch.
La Joya has been played across the attack and was previously used behind the front two, a situation that has changed under new coach Maurizio Sarri.
“The way the team is led has changed,” he told El Pais.
“Sarri has a completely different way of understanding the game. For me, and maybe even the rest of the attackers, it’s more fun.
“We keep the ball more and we’re creating lots of chances. This gives you chances to take and do something different because you know you will get another go.
“You learn to play quickly and attack all the time. There are games where we create 20 chances. You can only imagine what this means for a striker.
“I feel like an important player, respected by the fans and my teammates, but I don’t feel like a leader and I’m not trying to be one.
“A leader must convey and generate something positive to the group. You don’t have to scream or insult someone to be respected.
“You need to know when to talk to a teammate. Sometimes you don’t have to say anything.
“Evra, for example, was phenomenal in this regard. Or Buffon, who is a gentleman and only his presence is impressive.
“The important thing is to be natural, it’s useless to try to make the other love you.
“It’s difficult to separate the person from the player. I am quiet, both in private and on the field.
“On the field, however, I want to be on the ball. I’m lost without it. I have to touch it; I need to be involved in the action. I think it’s a necessity.
“A goal is a goal, of course, but there are few things that I like more than giving assists. To embrace your teammate after setting them up is as beautiful as scoring.
The attacker’s friends told him he was unlucky to be second in line to Lionel Messi for Argentina and now Ronaldo at Juventus, so does he find them a hindrance or helpful?
“I told them that, for me, it’s an advantage. I can study them every day. Who wouldn’t want to work with the best?
“We are talking about two phenomenal players, one or two steps above the rest of the players, both at a footballing and mental level.
“It’s not easy to keep up such rhythm and score 40 goals every season.
“I have a great relationship with Cristiano, we talk a lot. We talk about Juve, about the national team and about stuff that doesn’t have anything to do with football.
“It’s the same with Leo. Our relationship has grown a lot. At a club you see each other every day, it’s not the same in the national team.”
