New serious setback for Paulo Dybala: partially torn lateral meniscus

An bitter end to the season, perhaps even more than could be imagined, with a contract expiring that will hardly be renegotiated.

Yet the love story between Paulo Dybala and Roma began with the best intentions, with the surprise move by the Friedkin for José Mourinho and a crowd bath at the Colosseo Quadrato for his presentation.

Now, after four years, it seems to be at the end credits.

The latest injury is just one of many that have accompanied the Argentine's adventure in the Capital. After more than a month of stoppage due to an inflammation of the left knee, in fact, an arthroscopy examination was needed today to understand the reason for a pain that continued to persist despite all tests - MRIs and ultrasounds - being negative. The problem, identified at Villa Stuart by Prof. Mariani, is that of a small partial lesion of the outer meniscus which has already been corrected. Dybala will now have to follow a rehabilitation program of about 5 weeks plus another ten days of re-athleticization, for a total stoppage of 45 days. Practically an appointment after Easter, missing the matches against Genoa, Como, Lecce, and Inter in the league, as well as the double confrontation with Bologna in the Europa League.

The match in which he could be seen again, however, could be against Atalanta on April 19, 3 months after his last match (January 25) and when there will be just over a month left in the season. A tough blow for Gian Piero Gasperini who will face the final rush of the season without his star, although it certainly won't be the first time as the Argentine has already missed 14 matches this season, with a contract expiring on June 30 that will not be renegotiated as of today. It certainly will not be done under the current conditions, and on this Ranieri has been clear: the club must lower the wage bill and there will be no exceptions, not even for Dybala.