With the start of a new season Dave Taylor selects his best XI from an exciting topsy-turvy round 1
Rafael [Verona]
Made several crucial saves including two from Radja Nainggolan plus Mohammed Salah’s terrific volley. Could have done better for Roma’s goal but helped win a point with a double save from Edin Dzeko and Miralem Pjanic later. Dynamic.
Thomas Heurtaux [Udinese]
With the start of a new season Dave Taylor selects his best XI from an exciting topsy-turvy round 1
Rafael [Verona]
Made several crucial saves including two from Radja Nainggolan plus Mohammed Salah’s terrific volley. Could have done better for Roma’s goal but helped win a point with a double save from Edin Dzeko and Miralem Pjanic later. Dynamic.
Thomas Heurtaux [Udinese]
Always aware of the Juve danger men down the flanks, he put up a stubborn resistance like the rest of his defence. One of the highlights was his crucial sliding tackle to win a dangerous ball off Paul Pogba. Decisive.
Paolo Cannavaro [Sassuolo]
The former Napoli man had all the holes covered and limited his ex-teammates to scraps after the first goal. Dominant and led the back line with his experience and knowledge. Skilful.
Marcos Alonso [Fiorentina]
Completely pivotal in the game and like a high-torque power drill it was his stupendous free kick that opened the scoring. Always a menace down the flanks he also kept Milan’s right-sided players in check. Crucial.
Emil Hallfredsson [Verona]
As busy as a one-armed paperhanger, the Icelandic ace was a constant problem attacking Roma down the right unceasingly. It was his ball that opened the way for Bosco Jankovic to score. Inexhaustible.
Josip Ilicic [Fiorentina]
Another classy performance from the Slovenian, who had several attempts and set up several more scoring chances for others. Ten minutes into the second half on another dangerous run he won and converted a penalty. Effervescent.
Bruno Peres [Torino]
Impressive throughout and never afraid to take his man on. Arguably man of the match and so devious on the ball he is the sort of man you could send to steal the Coca-Cola recipe. Scheming.
Eder [Sampdoria]
The Italian international tore the visitors apart in the first half, opening the scoring with a well-taken penalty. Always looking to take defenders away he played a massive hand in Muriel’s second goal before topping it off with powerful shot that the visiting ‘keeper failed to hold. Powerful.
Luis Muriel [Sampdoria]
The man of the match scored his first goal with a powerful shot after a magnificent run. It wasn’t too long before he struck again this time after meeting Mattia Cassani’s cross and hammering home from an angle. Electric.
Ricardo Kishna [Lazio]
The young Dutchman made a startling debut and was a real menace with his bright, innovative football. Never stopped running and apart from setting up several chances for others he controlled a fabulous Antonio Candreva pass before scoring the second. Impressive.
Special Mentions: Evangelos Moras [Verona], Cyril Thereau [Udinese], Stevan Jovetic [Inter], Alessandro Florenzi], Orestis Karnezis [Udinese].