Roma’s manager, Jose Mourinho, indicated that pairing Serdar Azmoun and Paulo Dybala in the starting lineup was not something he planned at present. The Italian outlet Football Italy captured his remarks, which shed light on the tactical balance he seeks for the team.
According to Mourinho, the two attackers bring complementary strengths but also complementary gaps. He noted that Azmoun excels in the attacking threat he provides, yet he does not bring the defensive discipline that Mourinho values in his system. Dybala, while gifted in attack, often falls short on the defensive contribution that makes a balanced side tick. He emphasized that while one of them could fit within the approach, fielding both together could disrupt the equilibrium he wants to maintain in high-stakes matches.
On 26 August, Roma confirmed a one-year loan for Azmoun from Bayer Leverkusen, a move that adds a proven goal-scoring option to the squad. Azmoun’s contract with Leverkusen runs through 2027, and the forward arrived after posting solid numbers in the previous season. In the Bundesliga, he appeared in 23 league games, scoring four goals and providing one assist. The season contributed to Leverkusen finishing in sixth place in the table, a position that hinted at the team’s depth but also the need for more clinical finishing up front.
Azmoun has a varied club history, having spent the 2019 to 2021 period with Zenit before moving on from Rubin Kazan earlier in his career. This mix of experiences shapes a forward who can operate in different tactical settings, adapting to the pace and physicality of European leagues while bringing an aerial presence and a willingness to press when required.
In this current Serie A campaign, the Iranian striker has made eight appearances and contributed a goal. Dybala, in parallel, has delivered three goals and four assists across nine appearances, illustrating the quality he brings to the creative side of Roma’s attack. The numbers suggest a dynamic where the team can design sequences that leverage Dybala’s vision and Azmoun’s finishing instincts, while Mourinho assesses the best way to blend them without destabilizing the defense.
Meanwhile, a Paraguayan defender who previously represented Dinamo Moscow has been highlighted in discussions about the squad’s breadth and resilience. The focus on defensive depth resonates with Mourinho’s broader philosophy: build lines that protect the goal while enabling the forwards to express themselves when the opportunity arises. The balance between attack and defense remains a central theme in Roma’s ongoing tactical evolution as the season unfolds.