With a new season kicking off after a summer of football, Dave Taylor selects his best Serie A XI from Week 1.
Josip Posavec [Palermo]
Always alert to any shots on target he was one of the few inspirational men amongst the hosts and made two excellent blocks, one on Alessandro Gazzola’s volley and then Matteo Politano’s follow-up. Reactive.
Fabrizio Cacciatore [Chievo]
With a new season kicking off after a summer of football, Dave Taylor selects his best Serie A XI from Week 1.
Josip Posavec [Palermo]
Always alert to any shots on target he was one of the few inspirational men amongst the hosts and made two excellent blocks, one on Alessandro Gazzola’s volley and then Matteo Politano’s follow-up. Reactive.
Fabrizio Cacciatore [Chievo]
The 29-year-old defender was the pick of the Chievo back line and had Inter’s Yuto Nagatomo in his back pocket throughout the game. Made a number of runs into area and played his part in Valter Birsa’s first goal. Definitive.
Leonardo Bonucci [Juventus]
As usual never put a foot wrong, and was calm and collected throughout the 90 minutes. Always ahead of the opposition and solid as a rock while also making a particularly timely intervention on a Nikola Kalinic run. Unyielding.
Giorgio Chiellini [Juventus]
Juve’s top defender had another completely solid game and it was his cross that set up Sami Khedira’s opener. Had no trouble controlling Kalinic and showed his ability and power when also stopping several of Cristian Tello’s crosses. Commanding.
Leandro Paredes [Roma]
Back in a Giallorossi jersey after his loan spell with Empoli, the Argentinian tore out the traps with a vengeance, setting up two goals. Always at the centre of Roma’s best moves it was his intelligent cross that found Mohamed Salah’s head for the final goal. Exhilarating.
Kwadwo Asamoah [Juventus]
The indomitable midfielder was as adept going forward as he was in defence. Caused serious problems throughout with his influence and won almost all of his duels [15] while having a major hand in both goals. Dynamic.
Mario Lemina [Juventus]
The Gabonese international blew through Fiorentina’s defences like a top-fueller down a drag strip. In many ways he reminded fans of the departed Paul Pogba with his muscular tackling and a couple of powerful drives that had the opposition ‘keeper pulling off terrific saves. Inspiring.
Valter Birsa [Chievo]
The Slovenian ace scored a brace and could have struck a hat trick. His first followed some fine footwork before he slotted home while his second saw him foil Inter’s defence again before his cannonball flew into the bottom corner. Vibrant.
Diego Laxalt [Genoa]
Never stopped running and controlled his left flank the whole 90 minutes. Always pushing into the Cagliari half he topped a great performance when he scored a superb goal after an individual run into the box. Athletic.
Mohamed Salah [Roma]
A man of the match performance saw him win a penalty following his Usain Bolt-like surge into the area while he later scored with a superb header. Always looking to cause problems he had the Udinese defenders twitching and pooping like popcorn in a sizzling pan. Stimulating.
Carlos Bacca [Milan]
Scored a hat trick after first being denied an opener by a Luca Rossettini’s block but got back on track with diving header. His second saw him find space in the box before firing home while his third came from a well-taken penalty. Magnificent.
Special Mentions: Gonzalo Higuain [Juventus], Sami Khedira [Juventus], Diego Perotti [Roma], Edin Dzeko [Roma], Stefano Sorrentino [Chievo], Dries Mertens [Napoli]