Following another illuminating and dramatic few days of football in Serie A, Dave Taylor selects his best XI.
Samir Handanovic [Udinese]
Following another illuminating and dramatic few days of football in Serie A, Dave Taylor selects his best XI.
Samir Handanovic [Udinese]
Napoli may have won if not for the Slovenian who kept out Cavani's penalty, while also smothering shots from Gargano, Pandev and Dzemaili. Under constant pressure late on but still foiled Inler and Zuniga. Cauterising.
Javier Zanetti [Inter]
Was Inter's best player and owned the right flank making the visitors' defence look as pathetic as a Gary Neville commentary. Pity his teammates failed to equal his competitive and defensive integrity. Reluscent.
Marco Andreolli [Chievo]
His shrewdness at set pieces, like a Verona restaurateur declaring his net-income, proved decisive. Then as the Lance to Sergio Pellissier's Speed, he inadvertently deflected home the opener. Enlightening.
Nicola Legrottaglie [Catania]
Like Barcelona's unpaid tax bill, he has played a massive part in the club's recent success. Made Miroslav Klose look like a German Fernando Torres and executed several crucial blocks before volleying home the winner. Irradiating.
Giovanni Pasquale [Udinese]
Played with considerable subtlety and technique and, like an Italian businessman probed by the finance police about his Ferrari, was quick off the mark when moving from defence to attack. Scorching.
Andrea Pirlo [Juventus]
Wins the respect of his teammates by understanding football's logistics and consequently inspires them to operate at optimum levels. Finished off a great pass from Vucinic to score with a luscious lob over Artur Boruc. Incandescent.
Urby Emanuelson [Milan]
Sometimes wasteful and should have scored three, but his fabulous 45-yard solo slalom into the Parma goal mouth to slot home past Antonio Mirante was as sensational as Silvio Berlusconi's not guilty verdict. Also forced the penalty. Effulgent.
Marco Rigoni [Novara]
Showed his intent with a fabulous free-kick that hit the woodwork. Dictated the pace and course of the gameas well as scoring a powerful goal from Andrea Caracciolo's perfect pass. Illuminating.
Mauricio Pinilla [Cagliari]
Was a constant menace and gave an early warning with a sensational bicycle kick. Cesena failed to take heed and like a Sardinian bandit pursuing a vendetta, Pinilla punished them with a killer hat-trick. Coruscating.
Edinson Cavani [Napoli]
Missed a penalty but made up for it with an exquisite free-kick, then minutes later pounced like a chancer filling in a false invalidity claim, to squeeze the ball under Handanovic for the equaliser. Scintillating.
Mirko Vucinic [Juventus]
The Montenegrin was in red-hot form, scoring with a fabulous Beckham-like strike from outside the box. Also had several other attempts and assisted twice with consummately controlled passes. Incinerating.