After an exciting weekend with several high scoring games, Dave Taylor picks his best XI from Week 21
Vid Belec [Carpi]
The Slovenian made a number of saves but had no chance with the deflected Inter goal. Kept his best for fabulous stops from Ivan Perisic’s long-range right footer, then a point-blank block from Rodrigo Palacio before getting back up to deny Felipe Melo. Commanding.
Simone Romagnoli [Carpi]
After an exciting weekend with several high scoring games, Dave Taylor picks his best XI from Week 21
Vid Belec [Carpi]
The Slovenian made a number of saves but had no chance with the deflected Inter goal. Kept his best for fabulous stops from Ivan Perisic’s long-range right footer, then a point-blank block from Rodrigo Palacio before getting back up to deny Felipe Melo. Commanding.
Simone Romagnoli [Carpi]
Halted the forward progress of the Inter forwards down his flank keeping a handle on Mauro Icardi in particular. Always ready to clear any danger and played his part in grabbing a point. Firm.
Leonardo Bonucci [Juventus]
A thorough performance from the Italian defender who implanted his authority over the Roma forwards and never let go. Whether defending balls into the area or making clearances, he won his battles in the air and on the ground with relative ease. Uncompromising.
Gonzalo Rodriguez [Fiorentina]
The Argentinian was solid throughout the game and kept the Torino forwards quiet. It was from his defensive colleague Manuel Pasqual’s corner that the 31-year-old thumped home a header to make sure of the points. Unyielding.
Mario Rui [Empoli]
The Portuguese was a solid presence down the left flank, making forward runs and helping out in attack. Never forgot his defensive duties and nullified most of the attacks down his side of the field. Resolute.
Riccardo Saponara [Empoli]
Played an all-action game, produced an assist and his powerful running kept his former colleagues occupied. The pressure finally paid off when the 24-year-old dodged two defenders and played the perfect ball for the onrushing Piotr Zielinski to equalise. Determined.
Antonio Candreva [Lazio]
The 28 year-old led from the midfield and inspired Lazio’s come back with the equaliser after winning and converting a penalty. The classy Italian then scored another from an acute angle before sealing an excellent performance with an assist for the fourth. Ruthless.
Oscar Hiljemark [Palermo]
The former PSV midfielder has settled in well and played a central role in the merciless torture of Udinese. Had an assist for the first goal following a sumptuous back heel before scoring the second with a ruthless right-footer. Remorseless.
Giacomo Bonaventura [Milan]
Milan’s best player was forever tormenting Empoli down their right leaving Vincent Laurini as useful as a chocolate teapot. On the ball early in the second half when he exploited a deflection to tuck home at the far post. Unforgiving.
Paulo Dybala [Juventus]
The best on the Juventus side and was always looking to cause trouble with several shots on and off target. The Argentinian was eventually rewarded when Paul Pogba’s clever reverse ball saw him score with his left-foot. Exciting.
Gonzalo Higuain [Napoli]
Started like a Japanese bullet train and scored the opener by latching onto a defensive mistake before lashing it past the goalkeeper. Carried on terrorising the Samp defence, who simply had no answer to him. Pitiless.
Special mentions: Josip Ilicic [Fiorentina], Marek Hamsik [Napoli], Achraf Lazaar [Palermo], Suso [Genoa], Emanuele Giaccherini [Bologna], Andrea Barzagli [Juventus] Kevin Lasagna [Carpi].