Juve's Dybala out of Roma clash and a doubt for Inter game

Paulo Dybala will miss Juventus' Serie A meeting with Roma on Sunday and he is a doubt to face reigning champions Inter next weekend.

A thigh injury has sidelined Dybala since the 3-2 victory over Sampdoria on September 26, though he was still called up to the Argentina squad.

The 27-year-old did not meet up with the squad after being assessed by Argentina and it was reported he would be fit for the visit of Roma to the Allianz Stadium this weekend.

However, Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri insisted that is not the case and suggested Dybala could yet miss the Derby d'Italia against Inter at San Siro a week on Sunday.

"During the week I was reading that maybe Dybala could play against Roma – maybe the return match! I think he will be available in a week, or 10 days at most," Allegri said in a news conference.

"There's no problem with his recovery, he's on schedule. It was thought that maybe he'd need a few days less, but these things happen.

"With muscle injuries you think one thing and believe you can do less. It always depends on the evolution of the situation."

????? Beautiful build-up play and a precise Paolo finish to secure all points in #JuveRoma pic.twitter.com/vJ69O2USJ3

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) October 16, 2021

Roma have gained four more points from seven matches this season than Juve and will be out to avoid suffering a 10th away loss in Serie A in the calendar year - something that has not happened to them since 2012.

The match will see Jose Mourinho in the dugout at the Allianz Stadium for the first time since November 2018, when he celebrated leading Manchester United to victory over Juventus by cupping his ear to the crowd.

Allegri has only won seven of his 20 Serie A games against Roma as a coach - a win percentage of 35 that is his worst against teams he has faced at least three times.

"Mourinho is a coach who has won a lot and I respect him a lot," said Allegri.

"It's in his character to, every now and then, do something like he did with Manchester United a few years ago.

"It pleases me to have a coach of his standing back in Italy."

Mourinho: "These are the sort of games you love to be a coach for. We want to go there and play the way we know we can. When the whistle blows everything is forgotten and the best team will win." #ASRoma #JuveRoma pic.twitter.com/ScbhoJaadr

— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) October 16, 2021

Mourinho is hopeful of having Tammy Abraham available for the game after the striker limped off during England's 1-1 draw with Hungary on Tuesday.

"He will travel with us. We'll decide tomorrow whether he'll be on the pitch, the bench or in the stands. He's improving," said Mourinho.

Juve have won three straight Serie A games to climb up the table after a woeful start and will be seeking to make it four in succession for the first time since July 2020.

Mourinho believes the depth in Juve's squad means that – despite them already being 10 points adrift of unbeaten leaders Napoli – they remain strong contenders for the Scudetto.

"They're a very strong team and they always play to win games and the league. It's not a team of 11 good players, they have more than 20 good players with experience," said Mourinho.

"The coach also has a lot of experience. Juve are a strong candidate [for the title]."