Following a weekend of some ultra-classy performances in Serie A, Dave Taylor picks his best fantasy XI.
Gianluigi Buffon [Juventus]
Following a weekend of some ultra-classy performances in Serie A, Dave Taylor picks his best fantasy XI.
Gianluigi Buffon [Juventus]
Showed once again his class when diving to push Marek Hamsik’s thunderbolt round the post. Continued to frustrate Hamsik on several more occasions as well as finger-tipping Lorenzo Insigne’s screamer over. Dealt firmly with everything that came his way. Commanding.
Nicolo Cherubin [Bologna]
Unyielding throughout and there was no parting of the sea for either Victor Ibarbo or Marco Sau as they tried to reach the Promised Land. Totally solid and out-thought the opposition at every turn. Substantial.
Giorgio Chiellini [Juventus]
Scored with a potent header and played right on the edge of the rule book, and outside it, but got the job done containing Edinson Cavani. Also made a vital block on a dangerous Marek Hamsik through-ball. Significant.
Alessio Romagnoli [Roma]
When Francesco Totti says: “He will be one of the best central defenders we’ve had for years,” he has to be good. Certainly the teenager proved it in this game, scoring in his first start. Monumental.
Saphir Taider [Bologna]
On the day the 21-year-old choose to play for Algeria over France and returned from injury, he celebrated with an unstoppable goal. After a succession of perfect one-two combinations with Alberto Gilardino, he struck home from just outside the box. Colossal.
Marek Hamsik [Napoli]
Caused problems throughout the game and was at the core of many of Napoli’s attacks. Perhaps would have scored twice if not for the reactions of Buffon and certainly deserved better reactions from his teammates. Superb.
Alessandro Diamanti [Bologna]
A Man of the Match performance with everything positive about the Rossoblu going through him. Scored possibly the goal of the week with an Exocet that absolutely rocketed into the far top corner of net. Magisterial.
Mattia De Sciglio [Milan]
Forced the pace and pressure so much he may well have been a left-winger, with a series of superb crosses and exotic dribbles. Never forgot his defensive duties and linked perfectly with Stephan El Shaarawy. Outstanding.
Francesco Totti [Roma]
The King of Roma opened the scoring and set up two goals in a performance that way belied his age. Doesn’t really have to run that far or fast, just knows where to be, even before the ball sometimes. Brilliant.
Giampaolo Pazzini [Milan]
Despite walking a disciplinary tightrope following a booking Pazzo kept bustling forward, anticipating well to tap home his first goal from a few yards. Also had a hand in the second and scored a spectacular third from 20 yards. Magnificent.
Rodrigo Palacio [Inter]
When he arrived the Elefanti stampeded as he opened their defence like Moses commanding the Red Sea. Totally integral to Inter’s safe passage as it was his assist for the first goal before he scored the perfect brace. Imperial.
Special mentions: Andrea Barzagli [Juventus], Maarten Stekelenburg [Roma], Borja Valero [Fiorentina], Giacomo Bonaventura [Atalanta], Santiago Garcia [Palermo], Stephan El Shaarawy [Milan].