Stefano Tacconi slammed reported Tottenham Hotspur transfer target Paulo Dybala for his ‘useless’ display as Inter Milan won away to Juventus on Sunday, he told Calciomercato.it.
A late first-half stoppage-time penalty from Hakan Calhanoglu proved the difference in the Italian derby. Wojciech Szczesny had initially saved the midfielder’s attempt, but the VAR spotted Matthijs de Ligt had encroached and Calhanoglu made no mistake with the retake.
Dybala started the Allianz Stadium showdown and played the full 90 minutes, but he could not inspire a turnaround. The Argentine has now opened 20 of his 22 Serie A outings so far this season. Yet he also remains on eight Italian top-flight goals and five assists this term.
Dybala did enjoy a handful of chances to weave his way through Inter Milan and provide a vital goal. He combined wonderfully with Alvaro Morata and Denis Zakaria on the edge of the area after the break. But Dybala could not bring the ball under control in time to shoot.
The 28-year-old’s lack of a final product ensured his night ended in disappointment despite his strong combinations at times. The defeat also left Juventus eight points behind leaders AC Milan and four points from Inter in third. Additionally, Inter Milan hold a game in hand.
Icon slams ‘ghost’ Dybala after Tottenham target’s ‘useless’ Juventus display
Dybala enraged Juventus icon Tacconi with his overall performance at home to Inter Milan on Sunday. The 1984/85 Champions League-winning goalkeeper also hit out at the 32-cap star’s reported salary demands, after the Bianconeri elected against renewing his contract.
Reports by Sky Italia note Dybala wants €10m-a-year (£161k-a/w) net, including bonuses, in his next contract as a free agent. His Juventus deal ends in June, and Giacomo Iacobellis adds Tottenham are among the clubs in talks with Dybala’s agent regarding a free transfer.
But Antonio Conte would hope for more with Dybala at Tottenham in a free transfer this summer than what Tacconi saw of the Juventus playmaker against Inter Milan on Sunday.
“Dybala played with Inter yesterday. He is a crazy ghost on the pitch,” Tacconi said. “Are we kidding [about the contract] at those figures? Let him go out of his way, let him go and ruin Inter. Dybala is useless, he is a ghost on the pitch.”
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