The weekend saw Lazio move into a Champions League place, one point short of Roma, as Dave Taylor selects his best XI from round 27.
Francesco Benussi [Verona]
Was under severe pressure at times but came through it while also making half a dozen top saves including a desperate double effort on a deflected Gokhan Inler volley and a powerful strike from Duvan Zapata. Comprehensive.
Stefan de Vrij [Lazio]
The weekend saw Lazio move into a Champions League place, one point short of Roma, as Dave Taylor selects his best XI from round 27.
Francesco Benussi [Verona]
Was under severe pressure at times but came through it while also making half a dozen top saves including a desperate double effort on a deflected Gokhan Inler volley and a powerful strike from Duvan Zapata. Comprehensive.
Stefan de Vrij [Lazio]
The Dutch defender helped secure the points with a solid performance that saw him make some important interceptions. Cutting out balls from the flanks and through the middle he left the Genoa forwards as effective as elephants in stilettos. Steely.
Andrea Barzagli [Juventus]
Looking like he had never been away, he bounced around in a back three like he had just eaten 20 bags of Haribo. Kept Paulo Dybala quiet and made several solid clearances while winning a couple of aerial challenges. Consistent.
Gonzalo Rodriguez [Fiorentina]
Alert from the start making last ditch challenges and crucial blocks. In the second half he continued with the same concentration and on one adventure up-field he headed home the vital equaliser from close up. Imposing.
Felipe Anderson [Lazio]
Magically scored a brace leaving the Torino defenders not so much looking for a needle in a haystack but finding which planet the haystack is on in the first place, especially on his first, following a superb individual effort. Sublime.
Joaquin Sanchez [Fiorentina]
Always looked for the ball when he came on, occupying the visitors and also halting any runs from their midfield. Comprehensively decisive in his movement, he set up the equaliser before taking charge completely and heading home the winner. Connected.
Emil Hallfredsson [Verona]
Controlled the midfield, setting up attacks, while destroying any from the opposition, making them look like Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest, out of place. At his best when he laid on the perfect assist for Toni’s second goal. Integral.
Manuel Pasqual [Fiorentina]
Showed his control when running at people down the left flank causing panic and leaving them as decisive as Cagliari President Tommaso Giulini. Had a real captain’s innings and supplied the perfect cross for Joaquin to score the crucial winner. Commanding.
Alberto Paloschi [Chievo]
Built more like a late 1970s Texaco garage than a Michelangelo sculpture, he nonetheless scored two goals worthy of a Renaissance retrospect. His first beat an offside trap while his second fooled Mattia Perrin with the bounce. Complete.
Nicola Sansone [Sassuolo]
Totalled everything, scoring twice, winning a debatable penalty and an assist. Overall a shining performance from the ex-Gialloblu striker, dipping in and out of their area, where he was as common as a nine carat gold sovereign ring from Argos. Faultless.
Luca Toni [Verona]
Nearly scored after five minutes before swashbuckling past statuesque defenders for his 12th goal of the season. It was the same in the second half and after narrowly missing another goal he converted a sublime pass from Hallfredsson. Swaggering.
Special Mentions: Alvaro Morata [Juventus], Diego Farias [Cagliari], Lorenzo De Silvestri [Sampdoria], Luis Muriel [Sampdoria], Emiliano Viviano [Sampdoria], Matias Vecino [Empoli] Carlos Carbonero [Cesena].