In a weekend when Juventus” data-scaytid=”12″>Juventus were crowned Winter Champions, Dave Taylor picks his best XI from all of the Week 17 games.
Stefano Sorrentino [Chievo]
In a weekend when Juventus were crowned Winter Champions, Dave Taylor picks his best XI from all of the Week 17 games.
Stefano Sorrentino [Chievo]
Stood up magnificently to some serious pressure from the Roma forwards, including two super saves from Pablo Osvaldo. Had to be alert the full 90 minutes and was integral to Chievo’s win. Astral.
Michael Ciani [Lazio” data-scaytid=”18″>Lazio]
Helped knit the defence together better than a posse of grandmothers in a Shreddies factory. Never allowed Diego Milito or any of the Inter forwards much room on the floor or the air, where he was particularly dominant. Blessed.
Giovanni Marchese [Catania]
A rock-solid performance with grit and determination by the barrow load. Made several crucial tackles and his assist for Gonzalo Bergessio’s goal was a well deserved reward for a dominant display. Eerie.
Daniele Portanova [Bologna]
The perfect return after his ban for the one-time Napoli stopper. Apart from a series of positive interventions he scored the winner at the death, heading home Alessandro Diamanti’s superb free kick. Transcendent.
Stefano Mauri [Lazio]
A busy performance and probably deserved more with the amount of tantalising crosses he put over. Also had several attempts himself but was finally rewarded for his positive contributions when he supplied the ball for Miroslav Klose’s winning goal. Mystical.
Andrea Pirlo [Juventus]
Another commanding performance from the veteran playmaker extraordinaire. Ran the match as normal and capped his performance with a stunning free kick. Also helped out in defence. Empyreal.
Antonio Nocerino [Milan]
Always aware where his teammates were on the pitch and set up many of their attacks. Opened the scoring after 35 seconds, coolly slotting home at the back post from Stephan El Shaarawy’s clever pass. Sublime.
Claudio Marchisio [Juventus]
Always looking for the ball and his interchanging of position had the Atalanta” data-scaytid=”47″>Atalanta defenders running in circles at times. Became more authorative as the game wore and moved over to the left where he was just as confrontational. Spirited.
Stephan El Shaarawy [Milan]
When is he not in Team of the Week? Once more Man of the Match with his darting runs as he set up one, had a big hand in the own goal and finally scored following his tap in from Giampaolo Pazzini’s pass. Supernatural.
Ishak Belfodil [Parma]
A truly stunning performance starting with his headed equaliser, then a remarkable assist for Jonathan Biabiany’s tap in. Yet the best was to come as spun off his marker to turn a screamer of a volley into the bottom corner. Ethereal.
Luca Toni [Fiorentina” data-scaytid=”56″>Fiorentina]
Opened and closed the scoring with two superbly cushioned headers. In between won a penalty that was converted and caused trouble in the box throughout the match. It’s like he had never left. God-like.
Special mentions: Federico Marchetti [Lazio], Miroslav Klose [Lazio], Moussa Kone [Bologna], David Pizarro [Fiorentina], Giorgio Chiellini [Juventus], Josip Ilicic [Palermo].