Serie A got off to an electrifying second half of the season with some cracking goals, as Dave Taylor selects his best XI from Week 17.
Antonio Mirante [Parma]
Stopped everything thrown at him and was always well placed, blocking Mario Gomez and Juan Cuadrado’s efforts, while diving to parry away a Gomez penalty. He continued his labours in the second half and deflected a Gonzalo Rodriguez header. Unbeatable.
Andrea Costa [Parma]
Serie A got off to an electrifying second half of the season with some cracking goals, as Dave Taylor selects his best XI from Week 17.
Antonio Mirante [Parma]
Stopped everything thrown at him and was always well placed, blocking Mario Gomez and Juan Cuadrado’s efforts, while diving to parry away a Gomez penalty. He continued his labours in the second half and deflected a Gonzalo Rodriguez header. Unbeatable.
Andrea Costa [Parma]
The 28-year-old arrived in July from Sampdoria and scored his first goal for the Gialloblu with a header from three yards out. Was a steady influence at the back and played his part in keeping a clean sheet. Sturdy.
Francesco Acerbi [Sassuolo]
Tackles, clearances, interceptions, you name them he did them. A busy afternoon for the former Milan defender who was a stalwart throughout and in a dog eat dog world he wasn’t the top Rottweiler by accident. Acerbic.
David Astori [Roma]
Was always alert and made no less than 20 or so winning interventions, with several utterly vital. Also scored a debatable goal from a Francesco Totti free-kick but allowed or not he was there all the same. Attentive.
Paul Pogba [Juventus]
Another world-class performance from the powerful youngster who on one particular run left Inter seeing more of Haley’s Comet than him. Always up for it he was a nuisance from start to finish. Mercurial.
Marek Hamsik [Napoli]
Back to his brilliant best Il Capitano led by example setting the stadium alight with some excellent work to set up Jose Callejon’s goal. Next came a sublime assist for Gonzalo Higuain’s first before scoring one of his ‘own’. Superb.
Arturo Vidal [Juventus]
Caused problems from the start by setting up Carlos Tevez’s goal then over the next 20 minutes forcing two stunning saves from Samir Handanovic. Forever pushed his team and pressed Inter hard until he was subbed with 12 minutes to go. Electric.
Felipe Anderson [Lazio]
The man of the match set up two goals while scoring with a real screamer from outside the box. His all-over-the-field work and precise passes left Samp like a gang of Jordan Belforts on Quaaludes. Stunning.
Carlos Tevez [Juventus]
As always a thoroughbred and he consistently hassled the Inter defence within and without. Scored a superb and richly deserved goal inside five minutes after a brilliant assist from Vidal as he slipped the ball home with consummate ease. Accomplished.
Gonzalo Higuain [Napoli]
El Pipita scored twice and help set up two as he stuck out like a pair of patent leather shoes at a hoedown with his dazzling footwork. He also had a strong effort blocked and menaced throughout. Stunning.
Paulo Dybala [Palermo]
A superb performance saw him force a penalty and coolly convert it. Continually torturing the Cagliari defence his second goal came from an unstoppable half-volley, hit with all the force of a Rino Gattuso sliding tackle. Outstanding.
Special Mentions: Domenico Beradi [Sassuolo], Jose Callejon [Napoli], Samir Handanovic [Inter], Paolo Cannavaro [Sassuolo], Simone Zaza [Sassuolo], Michel Morganella [Palermo], Achraf Lazaar [Palermo], Dusan Basta [Lazio]