Juventus striker Paulo Dybala has recalled how Gennaro Gattuso used to kick him in training when they worked together in Italy.
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The Argentine was at Palermo before making the move to Juventus at the start of last season, and while at his former club he used to train under AC Milan legend Gattuso, who was then starting his career on the sidelines.
The 23-year-old is today seen as one of football's best young talents, and he gives a lot of credit to Gattuso, who he believes toughened him up.
"Gattuso helped me a great deal because he was one of the guys who would kick me," he told El Pais.
"He used to give me advice on how I had to position myself to dodge the blows. In more than one practice he would kick me just to teach me how to defend myself.
"The physical work was hard for me. Clashing with opponents was the hardest thing, I had to work a lot in the gym, as well as learning how to avoid the hits and collisions. I wasn't used to it."
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Dybala has scored 27 goals in 57 matches for Juventus since his arrival, assisting a further 11 strikes.
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