After an exciting weekend where all the top teams won, except leaders Inter, Dave Taylor picks his best XI from Week 17.
Albano Bizzarri [Chievo]
The veteran Argentinian almost saved the day for Chievo with a number of outstanding saves. Could do little about the goals but pulled a Josip Ilicic screamer out the air and foiled Borja Valero and Mario Suarez. Dominant.
Alessandro Florenzi [Roma]
After an exciting weekend where all the top teams won, except leaders Inter, Dave Taylor picks his best XI from Week 17.
Albano Bizzarri [Chievo]
The veteran Argentinian almost saved the day for Chievo with a number of outstanding saves. Could do little about the goals but pulled a Josip Ilicic screamer out the air and foiled Borja Valero and Mario Suarez. Dominant.
Alessandro Florenzi [Roma]
Seems to have found his niche in the attacking right wing-back role and again rescued his peers with a opening goal that saw him in the right place at the right time as he volleyed home a Lucas Digne cross. Influential.
Alex [Milan]
Scored the third goal when he found himself in space at a corner and nodded home. Was perhaps at part fault for Frosinone’s first goal but was solid after that. Intelligent.
Mauricio [Lazio]
The Brazilian 27-year-old was ahead of the game throughout making interceptions, blocks and setting up a couple of attacks. Always aware of any menace from Inter he cleared an Alex Telles effort off the line. Responsive.
Patrice Evra [Juventus]
Always busy and sent over several dangerous crosses with one of them setting up Mario Mandzukic’s goal. Continued to cause problems and ruled the left flank doing his defensive work as well as pushing forward. Commanding.
Antonio Candreva [Lazio]
Won the game with his brace either side of Inter’s goal. Always alert to a chance he scored from the edge of the box for the opener before scoring with the rebound after Samir Handanovic saved his first shot. Effective.
Paul Pogba [Juventus]
Another all-action display by the Frenchman who trod where angels dare not, with his goal a perfect example of this determined attitude, as Vid Belec slammed into him after he lifted the ball over the goalkeeper into the net. Powerful.
Josip Ilicic [Fiorentina]
Controlled the midfield and menaced in the opposition area on several occasions. Tested Albano Bizzarri early on before unleashing a powerful left-footed strike that hit Alessandro Gamberini and spooned over the ‘keeper. Tricky.
Massimo Maccarone [Empoli]
Showed from the start with a thunderbolt that was palmed away that he was destined to score and with a brace and fine striker’s display he certainly did. His first came from a perfect volley, his second a well-connected header. Potent.
Mario Mandzukic [Juventus]
The big man scored a well-deserved brace and led the line perfectly with a belligerent attitude towards the Carpi defenders. His first goal was powered in via an acrobatic overhead kick while his second saw him nod in an Evra cross. Galvanising.
Gonzalo Higuain [Napoli]
After threatening on several occasions the Argentinean hotshot eventually added another two goals to his total with two-second half strikes. His first saw him climb high to head home while his second was a well-placed shot into the far corner. Inspiring.
Special Mentions: Raul Albiol [Napoli], Giacomo Bonaventura [Milan], Federico Bernardeschi [Fiorentina], Emiliano Viviano [Sampdoria], Roberto Soriano [Sampdoria], Francesco Lodi [Udinese].