After another exciting weekend of Serie A football Dave Taylor selects his best XI from Week 12.
Federico Marchetti [Lazio]
Handled everything that was thrown at him and kept Lazio in the game when pulling off several super saves. One particular volley from Marek Hamsik saw him push it away to safety while he also finger tipped a fierce effort from Faouzi Ghoulam onto the bar. Commanding.
Silvan Widmer [Udinese]
After another exciting weekend of Serie A football Dave Taylor selects his best XI from Week 12.
Federico Marchetti [Lazio]
Handled everything that was thrown at him and kept Lazio in the game when pulling off several super saves. One particular volley from Marek Hamsik saw him push it away to safety while he also finger tipped a fierce effort from Faouzi Ghoulam onto the bar. Commanding.
Silvan Widmer [Udinese]
The Swiss right back forced the pace down his flank and kept the hosts occupied with his runs. It was from an early run that he crossed for Cyril Thereau to blast home from 12 yards out. Unyielding.
Mattia Caldara [Atalanta]
The 22-year-old was composed throughout the game and solid in the tackle. Always aware of his defensive duties but ventured up field on occasions and on one of them scored with a wonderful left foot volley. Concrete.
Matias Silvestre [Sampdoria]
The former Inter defender was as hard a Luciano Spaletti’s head after he butted his desk four times during a press conference. Always the last man to beat and although up against the normally dangerous Nicola Kalinic, easily managed to keep him at bay. Immovable.
Manuel Pasqual [Empoli]
A menace down the left and was always an outlet out on the flank when Empoli attacked. Made a few blocks, one of which was absolutely crucial when acrobatically clearing off the line from Ahmad Benali’s shot from point blank range. Clinical.
Mohamed Salah [Roma]
The Egyptian flyer was unstoppable and scored the first hat-trick of his career as well as having a goal chalked off. His first came as he forced an own goal while his other two saw him in the right place at the right time. Stupendous.
Marco Benassi [Torino]
Displayed all the class and sophistication of a true Torino thoroughbred, winning balls and setting off attacks. His own goal was a real piece of class that saw him collect the ball, spin round and slam it into the top corner from 15 yards. Imperious.
Marek Hamsik [Napoli]
Another solid captain’s performance from the Slovakian, who was always looking to find space and scored a wonderful solo goal and could possibly have scored more if not for Marchetti. Inspiring.
Adem Ljajic [Torino]
Created a lot of Torino’s best action, had several goal attempts, set up the fourth and scored into the bargain. Having just seen his freekick narrowly miss, the super Serb stepped up to the plate and then struck home with a shot from the edge of the box. Electric.
Andrea Belotti [Torino]
Fired up from the start scoring in the second minute after he was first to Marco Storari’s parry. Continued to cause havoc in the visitors’ defence and won and converted a penalty that was too powerful for Storari to stop. Dominant.
Massimo Maccarone [Empoli]
The Gladiator was at his sharpest scoring a brace and setting up one with a neat back heel. His first goal for six months came from a through ball that he slotted under Albano Bizzarri. He then set up Manuel Pucciarelli’s goal before scoring the third with a neat flick. Potent.
Mauro Icardi [Inter]
Needed a bit of time but there was no stopping him once he started. First off he produced an assist for the opener before scoring a brace himself. His first saw him win and convert a penalty, his second came from a close up volley. Effective.
Special mentions: Danielle Baselli [Torino], Alejandro Gomez [Atalanta], Suso [Milan], Christian Puggioni [Sampdoria], Luis Muriel [Sampdoria], Miralem Pjanic [Juventus], Hrvoje Milic [Fiorentina].