Paulo Dybala helps Juventus to Udinese win
Paulo Dybala was on target as Juventus beat Covid-hit Udinese 2-0 on Sunday and appeared to send a message to the club over contract talks.
FT | Triplice fischio e 3️⃣ punti ⚪️⚫️
Decidono i gol di @PauDybala_JR e @WMckennie ⚽️⚽️
Bene così, ragazzi!#JuveUdinese #ForzaJuve pic.twitter.com/0AhXNZjP92
— JuventusFC (@juventusfc) January 15, 2022
Argentina forward Dybala swept home a classy finish from Moise Kean’s lay-off to put Juve ahead in the 19th minute of a largely drab contest at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, but it was his reaction to the goal which raised eyebrows.
He didn’t celebrate his seventh Serie A goal of the season and shot a stern look to the stand where the Juve hierarchy was sitting, with observers suggesting he was making clear his unhappiness about the delay to the renewal of his contract.
Dybala on his future: "Many things have happened… I prefer not to talk about it". Juventus had a verbal agreement to extend Dybala's contract since October, then they asked for time before signing the new deal. He's not happy. ⚪️ #Dybala
He's currently out of contract in June. pic.twitter.com/3umIkjsWlo
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 15, 2022
The 28-year-old’s current deal expires at the end of the season and he is waiting to sign an extension which Italian media report should take his annual salary up to eight million euros a season ($9.1 million) plus a further two million euros of bonuses.
The Gazzetta Dello Sport report that the deal had already been agreed in principle for some time but that Dybala has been frustrated by continued stalling by the club.
Weston McKennie sealed the win with 11 minutes remaining, taking Juve level on 41 points with fourth-placed Atalanta, who have played two games fewer and host leaders Inter Milan on Sunday.
Il nostro maghetto preferito ❤️@WMckennie 🪄#JuveUdinese #ForzaJuve pic.twitter.com/NAamOHXeps
— JuventusFC (@juventusfc) January 15, 2022
Udinese had nine players out of action with Covid-19 infections and struggled to lay a glove on an underwhelming Juve team which was missing central defensive pair Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci.
They sit 14th, four points above the relegation zone alongside Sampdoria, who lost 2-1 to Torino in Saturday’s early match.