After an exciting weekend of Scudetto showdowns and relegation run-ins Dave Taylor picks his best XI from Week 16.
Antonio Mirante [Bologna]
The veteran to the rescue again with an early point blank save from Goran Pandev setting the tone and illustrating his radioactive reflexes throughout. Alert at set pieces, his mandatory weekly wonder-saves kept them in it. Commanding.
Edoardo Goldaniga [Palermo]
After an exciting weekend of Scudetto showdowns and relegation run-ins Dave Taylor picks his best XI from Week 16.
Antonio Mirante [Bologna]
The veteran to the rescue again with an early point blank save from Goran Pandev setting the tone and illustrating his radioactive reflexes throughout. Alert at set pieces, his mandatory weekly wonder-saves kept them in it. Commanding.
Edoardo Goldaniga [Palermo]
The young Italian opened the scoring after steadying Oscar Hiljemark’s free kick and screaming the ball home from ten yards. Following that he seemed to be in control and made a couple of telling interceptions as the game wore on. Comfortable.
Kostas Manolas [Roma]
A powerhouse in defence seen especially when his diving header stopped a lurking Gonzalo Higuain from connecting with the ball. Hardly put a foot wrong and almost scored from a corner early on in the game. Iron.
Kalidou Koulibaly [Napoli]
Never allowed the Roma forwards much room and was more than competitive in the air while no slouch on the ground either. Made several clearances and tackles and showed maturity when pushing up field from the back. Intimidating.
Juan Cuadrado [Juventus].
Caused several problems down the right flank and scored the equaliser with an almost accidental looping header. Continued to probe before finally setting up Paulo Dybala for the third goal. Menacing.
Leonardo Greco [Verona]
A real handful for Milan with his pace, change of direction and menacing runs throughout the game. It was after one particular run that he was brought down and won the penalty, which was duly converted to grab the vital point. Urgent.
Paul Pogba [Juventus]
Juve’s best player left the Viola’s midfield looking like a bunch of blind squirrels searching for nuts. Forever pushing forward he laid on several correct balls and it was his pass that played a big hand in Mario Mandzukic’s goal. Class.
Giacomo Bonaventura [Milan]
Made several runs into area, sent over some dangerous crosses and tried with a few efforts himself. Always looking for the killer ball, one of the few who never stopped searching for the opposition’s weaknesses. Threatening.
Massimo Maccarone [Empoli]
The ageless Big Mac scored a wonderful brace and produced an assist for the second. His first saw him alert enough to spring an offside trap and volley home before he chipped the ‘keeper to score his second. Unmatchable.
Mauro Icardi [Inter]
Worked well with Stevan Jovetic, scored twice and also impressed with his effectiveness. Perhaps did not see as much of the ball as he should have but when he did he made it count. Two shots, two goals. Sharp.
Mario Mandzukic [Juventus]
Showed just how a centre-forward should lead the line with real determination. Despite some average service he was always alert and started and finished the goal when sliding in to slot home following a rebound. Competitive.
Special Mentions: Franco Vazquez [Palermo], Samir Handanovic [Inter], Luca Toni [Verona], Paulo Dybala [Juventus], Luca Rossettini [Bologna].