Following an exciting weekend of football that saw Juventus stretch their lead at the top to nine points Dave Taylor picks his top XI from Week 33
Gianluigi Donnarumma [Milan]
Brought an air of security to the Milan defence with a ‘none shall pass me’ attitude. His genuine potential was there for all to see when getting down to parry away a fierce Fabio Quagliarella strike and later stopping Fernando’s vicious volley. Commanding
Gaetano Letizia [Carpi]
Following an exciting weekend of football that saw Juventus stretch their lead at the top to nine points Dave Taylor picks his top XI from Week 33
Gianluigi Donnarumma [Milan]
Brought an air of security to the Milan defence with a ‘none shall pass me’ attitude. His genuine potential was there for all to see when getting down to parry away a fierce Fabio Quagliarella strike and later stopping Fernando’s vicious volley. Commanding
Gaetano Letizia [Carpi]
Made several dangerous runs down the right flank and made the assist for the final goal with a menacing cross, that eventually fell to Stefano Sabelli to rifle home. Also made a couple of excellent interventions and generally dealt with everything. Compelling.
Andrea Barzagli [Juventus]
Made several crucial blocks, most notably when he cleared Aleksandar Trajkovski’s strike off the goal line. Followed that up with a comprehensive performance for the rest of the game to help keep a clean sheet. Essential.
Jeison Murillo [Inter]
Resolute and reliable and on the big occasions totally decisive, especially against Manolo Gabbiadini. Made a couple of important interventions and played a major part in keeping Napoli off the score sheet. Solid.
Marcos Alonso [Fiorentina]
Always looking to stretch the visitors’ defence, made sure nothing got by him and had a major say in Fiorentina’s second goal, when his splendid pass found Josip Ilicic who netted from the D. Comprehensive.
Marcelo Brozovic [Inter]
Played an unfamiliar role on the right but still caused problems with his pace and scored the second goal with aplomb leaving the Napoli defenders as confused as Adam and Eve on Mother’s day. Forceful.
Antonio Gaudi [Carpi]
A top performance until he went off injured on the hour. Before that the 26-year-old had scored with a fabulous overhead kick after a fine ball from Jerry Mbakogu. Following that he produced a superb assist for Lorenzo Pasciuti. Inspiring.
Sami Khedira [Juventus]
Ran the show from midfield and was always aware of the position of teammates while scoring a sublime goal when he controlled an equally sublime pass from Paul Pogba with his chest before hooking a half-volley into the far corner. Inspirational.
Marco D'Alessandro [Atalanta]
Played a major part in Atalanta’s comeback with his runs causing problems throughout the Roma defence. Furthermore he did his fair share of defending as well as score the hosts’ opener when superbly anticipating a pass to tap home. Irresistible.
Mauro Icardi [Inter]
The Argentinean led the line, ran his heart out, scored, produced an assist and made the visitors look as useful as a pair of sunglasses for a one-eared man. Scored his goal from Gary Medel’s pass to cleverly hook the ball into the net. Menacing.
Marco Borriello [Atalanta]
The striker was on top form, had a hand in Atalanta’s opener, scored twice and could have had a hat trick. His first goal a typical header came via a corner while his second saw him slot home coolly from ten yards. Threatening.
Special mentions: Gary Medel [Inter], Alessandro Frara [Frosinone], Mario Balotelli [Milan], Emiliano Viviano [Sampdoria], Dodo [Sampdoria], Ogenyi Onazi [Lazio], Paul Pogba [Juventus].