With the top four all winning and just three points between them, Dave Taylor picks his best XI from Week 18.
Emiliano Viviano [Sampdoria]
Made sure they won the points with several crucial and athletic saves including a dynamic one-handed save from Darko Lazovic’s powerful volley. Late on after stopping efforts from Suso, Sergio Gakpe, he also stopped a rebound on the line. Integral.
Leonardo Bonucci [Juventus]
With the top four all winning and just three points between them, Dave Taylor picks his best XI from Week 18.
Emiliano Viviano [Sampdoria]
Made sure they won the points with several crucial and athletic saves including a dynamic one-handed save from Darko Lazovic’s powerful volley. Late on after stopping efforts from Suso, Sergio Gakpe, he also stopped a rebound on the line. Integral.
Leonardo Bonucci [Juventus]
Had the Verona forwards under his thumb and even had time to threaten up front as well. Finding space in the area from Paulo Dybala’s corner he thumped home his first goal of the season from a header. Powerful.
Daniele Gastaldello [Bologna]
Tackles, clearances and interceptions, the 32-year-old showed his experience dealing with the Milan attack especially after losing his partner Domenico Maietta. Dominated the centre of the defence, he held sway throughout the game. Commanding.
Facundo Roncaglia [Fiorentina]
The Argentinian’s knowledge saw him alert to any danger as he blocked out any sniff of attitude from the Palermo forwards. Worked well with his midfield and left the hosts looking as agile as a 250kg man. Concrete.
Roberto Soriano [Sampdoria]
Samp’s best player scored the opener with a decisive volley into the bottom corner. As Captain he was truly inspiring and his second goal was the result of a brilliant counter-attack when he screwed the ball into the net from 15 yards. Stimulating.
Marek Hamsik [Napoli]
On his 300th Serie A appearance he crystallised his best moments with a productive performance that saw him push forward at every opportunity. The Slovak scored the winner leaving the ‘keeper as defenceless as Tokyo Sexwale at a FIFA enquiry. Inspiring.
Josip Ilicic [Fiorentina]
The Slovenian international scored a sublime brace before going off. His first saw him arrive from the centre circle before beating a defender easily to slot in at the far post. His second was a wonderful curler from 25 yards. Magnificent.
Paul Pogba [Juventus]
Another scintillating performance from the young French ace, who showed all his tricks and more with some lovely footwork. Always ready to take responsibility, it is his increasing vision that has helped Juve zoom up the table. Brilliant.
Lorenzo Insigne [Napoli]
Was a handful for Torino’s defence with his alert and intelligent play as he broke the deadlock following a well-worked move that ended with his delightfully magical lob from outside the box. Also set up Hamsik. Exquisite.
Antonio Cassano [Sampdoria]
Never stopped running and played a massive part in each goal going through defenders like a chain smoker goes through cigarettes. His most outstanding work was done in producing the assists for both of Soriano’s goals. Terrific.
Paulo Dybala [Juventus]
The 22-year-old ace displayed all the skills that make him a wanted man and was always looking to hurt Verona. He scored the opener from a sublime freekick then produced the assist for Bonucci from a header complementing a top-line performance. Remarkable.
Special Mentions: Samir Handanovic [Inter], Leonardo Pavoletti [Genoa], Cyril Thereau [Udinese], Raul Albiol [Napoli], Antonio Mirante [Bologna], Emanuele Giaccherini [Bologna].