Juventus captain defends underperforming Dybala

After seeing his teammate being criticised in the Italian press for failing to score a goal in Serie A in 2018/19, Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini has come to the defence of out of form striker Paulo Dybala.

Despite again failing to find the net against Frosinone, Dybala was praised by his captain for his work ethic and attitude this season despite La Vecchia Signora possessing a plethora of attacking options.

“For us today, he was a determined Paulo,” Chiellini told Sky Sport Italia. “The most beautiful thing is seeing a player always applying pressure like Paulo.

“He was fundamental. He won a bucketload of free-kicks, he held up the ball, [and] he lifted up the squad. In this mode, he is more determined now in comparison to a year ago.

“I am not speaking in his defence [but] the problem is that you give him an eight when he scores but a five when he does not score.

“At Parma, for example, he was decisive in the goal that made it 2-1 which made us breathe.”