Serie A was back with a bang – giving Dave Taylor plenty to think about as he looked to pick the best XI from the weekend’s action.
Sergio Romero [Sampdoria]
Well positioned to stop thunderbolts from the Kevins, Boateng and Constant. However, his incredible saves from Mario Yepes’ bullet header and the subsequent ricochet were mind-blowing, as was his crucial block from Boateng’s late header. Outstanding.
Daniele Gastaldello [Sampdoria]
Serie A was back with a bang – giving Dave Taylor plenty to think about as he looked to pick the best XI from the weekend’s action.
Sergio Romero [Sampdoria]
Well positioned to stop thunderbolts from the Kevins, Boateng and Constant. However, his incredible saves from Mario Yepes’ bullet header and the subsequent ricochet were mind-blowing, as was his crucial block from Boateng’s late header. Outstanding.
Daniele Gastaldello [Sampdoria]
A lion at the heart of the defence and refused to buckle when under pressure. Always aware of his positioning, he won the points for the visitors with his last second clearance off the line from Mathieu Flamini. Magisterial.
Jonathan Rossini [Sampdoria]
Sat alongside Gastaldello and controlled the Rossoneri forwards with comparative ease. Always ready to put in a good clean tackle and never put a foot wrong or gave an inch. Forceful.
Paolo Cannavaro [Napoli]
The Neapolitan captain was his usual elegant, untiring self and completely blocked Abel Hernandez out of the game. Palermo had one or two moments, but Canna was always there to tidy up after his teammates. Princely.
Christian Maggio [Napoli]
Awesome down the right, sending in menacing crosses all night. Also delivered the perfect pass for Marek Hamsik’s opener and scored a cruise missile himself when the Slovakian returned the favour on the counter attack. Crucial.
Marek Hamsik [Napoli]
Scored the first goal in breathtaking fashion as he screamed it into the top corner from Maggio’s pin-point cross. Completely ruled the midfield and almost broke the bar with a first half Exocet before setting up Maggio’s cracking goal. Inspiring.
Wesley Sneijder [Inter]
Got into the perfect position to tap in the opener, then two minutes later he was the architect of the second when he set up Antonio Cassano’s assist for Milito. Seemingly back to his old self. Terrific.
Hernanes [Lazio]
Scored the only goal of the game and was at the heart of all the visitors’ best moves. Always willing to run, played with a smile on his face and looks like he is enjoying himself again. Vital.
Kwadwo Asamoah [Juventus]
Like a runaway train down the left throughout the match. As well as setting up Lichtsteiner’s tap in, he was always involved and would have had a few more assists if the forwards had been on his wavelength. Unstoppable.
Stevan Jovetic [Fiorentina]
Always lively and scored twice. The goalkeeper could do nothing about his first after a serious deflection, while trying to stop the bullet-like second would have been like living on the hard shoulder of the Autostrada del Sole – suicidal. Stunning.
Diego Milito [Inter]
Man of the Match with two assists and a goal. After setting up Wesley Sneijder’s opener with a precise ball, he soon doubled Inter’s score by slotting home Antonio Cassano’s pass. Finally set up Coutinho with a clever cutback. Stylish.