Dybala on Roma ‘future’ and El Shaarawy warning | OneFootball

Paulo Dybala tries not to talk about his Roma future, but Stephan El Shaarawy notes that while ‘things have certainly improved’ with Claudio Ranieri, they are still playing catch-up.

This was a tough test for the Giallorossi, who rattled the woodwork in the opening minutes with a Dybala free kick and had taken the lead through Artem Dovbyk’s tap-in.

Patrizio Masini volleyed in the equaliser from a corner for Genoa, who were unbeaten away from home under Patrick Vieira.

However, El Shaarawy came on for injured Lorenzo Pellegrini at half-time and changed the game with his curler from the edge of the area.

Manu Kone’s pull-back ricocheted in off Nicola Leali, so it is registered as an own goal because it had already crossed the line before Dybala’s touch.

See how the game unfolded on the Liveblog.

“Genoa are a solid team, hard to score against, but we kept up the intensity and with the introduction of Stephan found more sharpness attacking down the left. He scored a great goal and was very important for us,” Dybala told Sky Sport Italia following the 3-1 victory.

“We are well aware of how the season started and what we are doing now. We are pleased to be getting positive results, there are many games to go and we hope to continue like this.”

While he had seemed to be on the verge of a move to Turkey or Saudi Arabia, now Dybala is only a few weeks away from an automatic contract renewal. Is he thinking about his future at Roma?

“The future is the next match on Thursday. We need to rest up and be ready, because it is a big game.”

Roma revitalised by Dybala and El Shaarawy

ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 17: Stephan El Shaarawy of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Genoa at Stadio Olimpico on January 17, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

It was a fine way for El Shaarawy to celebrate his 300th appearance in the Roma jersey, while he is also now the favourite to start the Europa League trip to AZ Alkmaar on Thursday.

“I came on with the hunger to help the team and try to change the result. It went well, we had a great second half and a strong response, so we are happy with the result and performance,” El Shaarawy said on Sky Sport Italia.

“Naturally, we all should’ve done more this season, it was not the start we wanted. Things have certainly improved and with Mr Ranieri we have found some stability, but Roma should not be in 10th place and we want to get as high as possible.”