After another long weekend of Serie A action, Dave Taylor picks out his fantasy XI from the round 31 games.
Ivan Pelizzoli [Pescara]
After another long weekend of Serie A action, Dave Taylor picks out his fantasy XI from the round 31 games.
Ivan Pelizzoli [Pescara]
Despite Juve besieging his goal with 31 shots, 13 of them on target, Pelizzoli kept them out for 70 minutes. Diving around like a demented dolphin, he flipped, tipped and shipped balls away although could do nothing about the goals. Heroic.
Hugo Campagnaro [Napoli]
The Argentine ironman’s performance made sure the Genoa forwards had no time on the ball. Meanwhile, his intelligence and anticipation made sure he was never pulled out of the three man system. Dominating.
Steve Von Bergen [Palermo]
Had the Samp forwards in his pocket and was never really troubled, such was his reading of the game and subsequent positioning. He scored the opener after exploiting the sleeping ‘keeper. Commanding.
Mehdi Benatia [Udinese” data-scaytid=”22″>Udinese]
The 25-year-old Moroccan was always precise in his tackles and halted any attempt by Chievo to progress through the middle. Put the seal on the win after volleying home from point-blank range, following a delightful chip from Antonio Di Natale. Authorative.
Stephan Lichtsteiner [Juventus” data-scaytid=”27″>Juventus]
Put in several menacing crosses, including two perfect ones for Emanuele Giaccherini that the midfielder could not take advantage of. Got forward at will and almost scored himself from the edge of the area. Faultless.
Blerim Dzemaili [Napoli]
The Swiss international was energy personified. After last week’s hat-trick he scored another wonderful goal when he thundered an angled drive past Seb Frey into the far corner from Marek Hamsik’s pass. Immaculate.
Riccardo Montolivo [Milan]
The former Viola midfielder was whistled throughout by the home fans, but it never bothered him as he capitalised on another top-notch display with a coolly taken goal and an assist for Mathieu Flamini. Determined.
Josip Ilicic [Palermo]
Was a menace all match with his distribution. Scored the second goal after snaking past half the Samp defence with control, composure and technique before slipping the ball past the ‘keeper from ten yards. Unparalleled.
Pablo Armero [Napoli]
Dominated the left flank and sent over several dangerous crosses. Always involved in the game and such was his mastery that he forced Bosko Jankovic to be subbed in the second half. Boss.
German Denis [Atalanta” data-scaytid=”47″>Atalanta]
Hardly noticeable in the first half, but certainly made up for it with a magnificent hat-trick inside 12 minutes of the second. His first was a well-struck penalty, his second a superb drive before converting a cross for his third. Devastating.
Antonio Di Natale [Udinese]
The veteran was in top form and scored his first goal following a goalkeeping gaff. His second, a superb left-footed volley nestled into the top corner and was arguably goal of the week while he also had an assist. Phenomenal.
Special mentions: Goran Pandev [Napoli], Paul Pogba [Juventus], Senad Lulic [Lazio” data-scaytid=”63″>Lazio], Sebastien Frey [Genoa], Marek Hamsik [Napoli], Arturo Vidal [Juventus], Federico Marchetti [Lazio], Francesco Totti [Roma], Nicolas Spolli [Catania].