With a shortened Serie A programme this week due to the Supercoppa, Dave Taylor selects his best XI from Round 18.
Samir Handanovic [Inter]
The Slovenian needed to be at the top of his game in the first half against Lazio and crucially stopped two fierce efforts from Ciro Immobile. Later in the second half, he had to be at his very best again when Keita Balde Diao tested him with a low drive at the base of the near post.
Federico Fazio [Roma]
With a shortened Serie A programme this week due to the Supercoppa, Dave Taylor selects his best XI from Round 18.
Samir Handanovic [Inter]
The Slovenian needed to be at the top of his game in the first half against Lazio and crucially stopped two fierce efforts from Ciro Immobile. Later in the second half, he had to be at his very best again when Keita Balde Diao tested him with a low drive at the base of the near post.
Federico Fazio [Roma]
A seasoned old pro like him was never going to be flustered by the frenzy of the first half with his decisions and athority at the back, foiling Chievo at every turn. Experienced.
Danilo D’Ambrosio [Inter]
Worked hard to keep the pressure on and backed his teammates further upfield, superbly shown by his clever cross for Mauro Icardi’s first goal. Twice he saved Inter with clearances on the line. Relentless.
Danilo [Udinese]
The Brazilian veteran was solid at the centre of Udinese’s defence and made a couple of crucial tackles to help Sampdoria’s opponents come away with a point. One exceptional block saw him throw himself at a fierce Fabio Quagliarella effort, while he was responsible for his team’s positive aggression. Unyielding.
Federico Bernardeschi [Fiorentina]
Kicked off the comeback for the hosts with two goals and a wonderful chipped assist, while troubling the Napoli defence all night. Menacing.
Franck Kessie [Atalanta]
Came on for the second half and immediately inspired Atalanta, scoring the equaliser with a low level strike after finding space inside the box. He also had a massive hand in the Orobici’s last-minute winner. Lively.
Ever Banega [Inter]
Caused problems throughout and scored Inter’s opener with a powerful effort in the second half. After that it seemed as if he was everywhere, shooting on sight, making killer passes and also setting up Icardi’s second goal. Creative.
Stephan El Shaarawy [Roma]
A top performance from the former Milan star, who set up a couple of attempts only to see his teammates fail to convert. However, he did connect on the next strike on goal as his right-footed free kick snuck over the wall to nestle into the near top corner and also set up Edin Dzeko. Bright.
Dries Mertens [Napoli]
The dynamic Belgian scored his eighth goal in three Serie A games and won a penalty to start Napoli’s belated come back. Always ready with the killer pass, he was arguably rhe Partenopei’s man of the match. Forceful.
Lorenzo Insigne [Napoli]
Showed his mettle with an early effort that burned Ciprian Tatarusanu’s gloves before he really got down to business. Collecting the ball from 25 yards out, he sent the most sublime, jaw-dropping right-footed curler into the far top corner of the net for a truly outstanding world-class goal. Enchanting.
Mauro Icardi [Inter]
Although it took him a while to warm up, once he scored it was as if Lazio were holding off a tank with a toy gun. Following a couple of shots, his first goal came when he headed home a D’Ambrosio cross, while his second, from 12 yards out, followed a Banega pull-back. Superb.
Special mentions: Manolo Gabbiadini [Napoli], Stefano Sorrentino [Chievo], Diego Farias [Cagliari], Alejandro Gomez [Atalanta], Robin Quaison [Palermo], Andrea Belotti [Torino]