With Roma making a superb late comeback and several cracking goals scored it’s been an exciting midweek as Dave Taylor selects his top XI from Week 34.
Eugenio Lamanna [Genoa]
It was only his ninth game of the season but Genoa had no worries as he helped win a surprising three points with an number of crucial saves, most notably when he pushed Ivan Persic’s bullet header away after just four minutes. Solid.
Gennaro Sardo [Chievo]
With Roma making a superb late comeback and several cracking goals scored it’s been an exciting midweek as Dave Taylor selects his top XI from Week 34.
Eugenio Lamanna [Genoa]
It was only his ninth game of the season but Genoa had no worries as he helped win a surprising three points with an number of crucial saves, most notably when he pushed Ivan Persic’s bullet header away after just four minutes. Solid.
Gennaro Sardo [Chievo]
The veteran defender ruled the right flank, put in a couple of dangerous crosses and helped himself to a rare goal. Receiving a sweet ball from Simone Pepe he controlled it before screwing it past a helpless ‘keeper. Dominant.
Sebastian De Maio [Genoa]
Made a couple of crucial interventions particularly on Mauro Icardi and Danilo D’Ambrosio then went and scored the only goal. Moving up field for a corner he exploited some slack marking and slotted home at the far post. Decisive.
Leonardo Bonucci [Juventus]
It’s no wonder former boss Antonio Conte wants him at Chelsea. The highly experienced international was his usual ultra-sturdy self, never put a foot wrong but forced the opposition to do so when he won the penalty. Rock.
Faouzi Ghoulam [Napoli]
Faster than a Palermo Coach out of the door, the Algerian bossed the left flank from start to finish combining excellently with Dries Mertens. Kept former Napoli player Juan Zuniga quiet leaving him stumbling around like a man trying to find his glasses. Authoritative.
Marek Hamsik [Napoli]
Menaced from the off and almost scored but for a superb save from Antonio Mirante. Encouraged the forward line knitting them together with some great through passes and worked all the angles on and off the ball. Vibrant.
Paul Pogba [Juventus]
When does the Frenchman ever have a bad game? Once again he was king of the midfield, while also getting into position to menace the goalkeeper several times and making the assist following his perfect pass across the goalmouth for the opener. Vital.
Dries Mertens [Napoli]
Took over from Lorenzo Insigne and played an inspired and fabulous game, scoring a hat-trick and producing an assist. His awesome opener saw him twisting through defender like a hooked Marlin before firing through the ‘keeper’s legs. Overwhelming.
Paulo Dybala [Juventus]
Scored a brace and was always threatening the bedazzled Lazio defence. His opener came via a well-taken penalty, while his second followed a slick four-man move that saw the Argentinian slot home from ten yards out. Influential.
Francesco Totti [Roma]
He may have be in dispute with Coach Luciano Spalletti, but there was no arguing over his worth. Coming on as a sub with Roma losing 2-1 and four minutes to go, the Giallorossi legend immediately equalised then struck the crucial winner with a penalty. Magnificent.
Manolo Gabbiadini [Napoli]
Continues to score in Gonzalo Higuain’s place and like a train roaring out of a tunnel could not be stopped, scoring twice. His first goal was a ferocious left footer while his second came from a well-placed penalty. Irresistible.
Special mentions: Duvan Zapata [Udinese], Mario Mandzukic [Juventus], Sergio Pellissier [Chievo], Ezequiel Munoz [Genoa], Raul Albiol [Napoli], Gabriel Paletta [Atalanta].