Dybala Gives Roma Hope: "The Champions League is Still Possible"
Despite being sidelined due to an injury that required surgery earlier this April, Paulo Dybala hasn’t lost sight of his goal: helping AS Roma secure a place in Europe’s elite competition. The Argentine forward used his appearance at the Laureus Sports Awards ceremony to deliver a clear message about his team’s form and their Champions League ambitions.
Dybala believes Roma can still make it to the Champions League
While his recovery keeps him off the pitch until the end of the season, Dybala remains closely involved with the squad, now led by Claudio Ranieri, who has brought new life to the Roman side. "The table shows it’s still possible. It won’t be easy because many teams are fighting for the same goal and playing really well," the Argentine said. Yet, his belief remains firm: “Hopefully, the teams above us drop points and we can reach our objective.”
Currently sixth in Serie A, AS Roma have closed the gap and sit just three points behind the fourth spot, which grants qualification to next season’s Champions League. This target seemed out of reach just five months ago when the club was struggling in the bottom half of the table.
Ranieri’s touch leads to Roma’s best run in years
Since Claudio Ranieri’s return in November, the capital club has undergone a remarkable transformation. From a team plagued by inconsistency and low morale, Roma have evolved into a disciplined, confident, and competitive side.
Their recent 1-0 win over Verona on matchday 33 marked their 17th straight league game without a loss (12 wins and 5 draws), making it the second-longest unbeaten run in the club’s history. Only the record 24-match streak from 2002 stands above it.
Since their last defeat against Como on December 15, Roma have been unstoppable. And even though Dybala won’t be able to help on the field during the final stretch, his commitment remains unwavering. “I try to stay close to the team,” he said.
With five matches left to play, one thing is clear: AS Roma won’t give up. And with a fired-up Dybala cheering from the sidelines, their European dream is very much alive.
