Dave Taylor selects the Football Italia dream team from the midweek round of action in Serie A.
Andrea Consigli [Atalanta” data-scaytid=”3″>Atalanta]
Dave Taylor selects the Football Italia dream team from the midweek round of action in Serie A.
Andrea Consigli [Atalanta]
The post, the bar and Consigli himself saw several thunderbolts from Lorenzo Insigne stopped. The 25-year-old also saved from Marek Hamsik, Blerim Dzemaili and in particular Paolo Cannavaro’s 35-metre rocket, all on an atrociously muddy surface. Surreal.
Javier Zanetti [Inter]
As usual played like a teenager and bounced with pace and tenacity on the counter-attack. Nullified Samp’s’ left flank and put in several crosses with one particularly superb example wasted by Rodrigo Palacio. Magical.
Guglielmo Stendardo [Atalanta]
The Neapolitan lawyer cum farmer took a pay cut to return to the Orobici orbit after years with Lazio” data-scaytid=”21″>Lazio and it seems it has been worthwhile. More than held his own with his high work rate, strength and positioning. Punctual.
Gabriel Paletta [Parma]
The big Argentine was impassable and made numerous interceptions both in the air and on the ground. Cut out the flow of balls to the Giallorossi forwards and also made a stunning goal line clearance. Dictatorial.
Boukary Drame [Chievo]
The Senegalese ace was Mr Energy throughout and constantly probed and pushed down the left flank, while never neglecting his defensive duties. Almost scored with a cracking shot, that pounded the post. Aspectoral.
Edgar Barreto [Palermo]
The Paraguayan’s tackling and prompting while constantly searching for the ultimate killer ball made him a complete pain in Milan’s backside throughout. Stopped Pato dead in his tracks with one particular tackle, which was symbolic of his night. Lethal.
Paul Pogba [Juventus” data-scaytid=”30″>Juventus]
Precocious, powerful and pimply, Pogba winsballs, sets up goals and scores, what more can you ask from a teenager playing his first season in Serie A? Well apart from selling hot dogs at half-time, nothing much. Seismical.
Freddy Guarin [Inter]
The Colombian made several crucial tackles, won everything in the air, passed perfectly and constantly menaced the Samp defence. Oh yes! He also scored with a poisonous screamer just inside the post. Arsenical.
Nene [Cagliari” data-scaytid=”42″>Cagliari]
Without a main striker Nene, Thiago Ribiero and Marco Sau pressed high and scored all four goals. The Brazilian just shaded it, scoring first with a free header then 20 minutes later via an awesome free-kick plus an assist. Triumphantal.
Antonio Di Natale [Udinese” data-scaytid=”50″>Udinese]
What more can you say about the 35-year-old? Sent Mariano Andujar the wrong way with the penalty, then demanding the ball it was almost inevitable he would equalise and of course he did, with a wicked drive from close quarters. Sensational.
Bojan Krkic [Milan]
Palermo did not know what hit them when he came for the last 35 minutes. He absolutely tortured them with his pace, trickery and movement. Set up Riccardo Montolivo’s goal with more magic and almost scored the winner late on. Inspirational.
Special mentions: Lucas Castro [Catania] Diego Milito [Inter], Jonathan Biabiany [Parma], Rodrigo Palacio[Inter], Thiago Ribiero [Cagliari], Marco Sau [Cagliari], Carlos Carmona [Atalanta], Manuel Pasqual [Fiorentina] and David Pizarro [Fiorentina].