Massara: ‘Roma want big win at last, Dybala injury does not affect contract’

Roma director Ricky Massara hopes tonight’s trip to Napoli can finally give them a victory in the big games, but assures Paulo Dybala’s latest injury ‘has no effect’ on contract talks.

It kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s Serie A games on the Liveblog.

The Giallorossi know this is a big opportunity to lock down a top four finish and even catch the Partenopei in third, as Juventus were beaten yesterday 3-2 by Inter.

When they met Antonio Conte’s side earlier this season at the Stadio Olimpico, it ended 1-0 for Napoli.

Massara eager for Roma turning point

“It is true that we didn’t win big games, but the performances were never lacking in those clashes, so we hope to keep putting in the good performances and hope results arrive as a consequence of that,” Massara told DAZN Italia.

Dybala, Manu Kone, Artem Dovbyk, Evan Ferguson and Stephan El Shaarawy didn’t make the trip, with Matias Soulé and Mario Hermoso not fully fit either, so Bryan Zaragoza gets his first start.

Is the poor fitness record one of the reasons Roma are hesitant to lock the Argentina international down to a new contract?

“Dybala would be a big loss for any team, as he is a special player who makes the difference. It’s a pity he had this new and unexpected injury, as he would’ve been very welcome in this game. I can assure it does not have any effect on the negotiations for a new contract.”

It had been said there was tension between coach Gian Piero Gasperini and director of sport Massara, so did they have dinner over the weekend?

“We were all watching last night’s game. We have a very good rapport, let’s not forget Roma started a renovation process, we have 10 new players compared to last season, which shows the extent of the changes that we are making. The coach is forming this new group in excellent fashion, and we are very satisfied with his work.”

Nicolò Pisilli gets a rare start in midfield rather than Neil El Aynaoui, so is the Roma youth product breaking his way into the first team?

“Pisilli had already shown some of his quality in previous seasons, but he is now reaching maturity. He has a sense for the goal, is tactically intelligent, can defend and attack, and we believe he will be a big player for Roma and Italy for many years to come,” concluded Massara.