After an action-packed round of Serie A in which every team managed to get on the scoresheet, Livio Caferoglu selects his best XI for Week 35.
Antonio Mirante [Parma]
Couldn’t do much about Napoli’s two goals, but performed wonders as the Parma defence continually left him out to dry, notably making a series of instinctive stops to deny the Partenopei’s Holy Trinity of Jose Callejon, Marek Hamsik and Gonzalo Higuain from point-blank range. Heroic.
Pawel Wszolek [Sampdoria]
After an action-packed round of Serie A in which every team managed to get on the scoresheet, Livio Caferoglu selects his best XI for Week 35.
Antonio Mirante [Parma]
Couldn’t do much about Napoli’s two goals, but performed wonders as the Parma defence continually left him out to dry, notably making a series of instinctive stops to deny the Partenopei’s Holy Trinity of Jose Callejon, Marek Hamsik and Gonzalo Higuain from point-blank range. Heroic.
Pawel Wszolek [Sampdoria]
Profited from Lorenzo De Silvestri’s absence by giving a swashbuckling performance at right-back, despite being a winger by trade. It showed as he steamrolled past Guilherme near the byline in the Udinese box to drill in the cross for Roberto Soriano’s first goal. Claim-staker.
Luca Rossettini [Cagliari]
Led Cagliari to a creditable draw with Juventus, despite the champions’ onslaught, as he helped limit them to mainly speculative efforts from outside the box. However, having shown his set-piece prowess once already, he followed in the Sardinians’ late equaliser at the death. Responsible.
Giuseppe Biava [Atalanta]
Took on the responsibility of protecting Atalanta’s lead against Palermo after Vlada Avramov’s red card by marshalling his troops by example with a pair of goalline clearances. Might be 38, but there’s enough to suggest another season in Italy’s top flight with displays like this. Accomplished.
Massimo Gobbi [Parma]
Had full ownership of the left flank as Henrique rarely saw the ball and Manolo Gabbiadini was continually forced to cut inside. Made a joint-best four interceptions and cleverly teed up Cristobal Jorquera’s rocket-esque free kick with a dummy for a Parma point. Influential.
Andrea Bertolacci [Genoa]
The mastermind behind Genoa’s 5-1 demolition of Torino. Pulled the strings in midfield and supported the Grifone’s attack at will, drawing a smart stop from Daniele Padelli, before sending an unstoppable drive into the far corner late on, as if his presence wasn’t already felt. Dominant.
Roberto Soriano [Sampdoria]
Deployed further up the pitch than usual against Udinese, yet gave arguably his defining performance of the season, being at the right place at the right time to smash home a pair of finishes. Don’t be surprised to see him become a regular No 10 next season. Deft.
Hernanes [Inter]
Grabbed the bull by the horns against Lazio, showcasing dazzling skill at times. Bent a free kick into the bottom-left corner to draw Inter level at his former stomping ground, before bursting through a depleted home defence and burying a cool finish for a valuable Nerazzurri victory. Decisive.
Domenico Berardi [Sassuolo]
Juventus seemingly beckons for the winger this summer as he continued his strong end to the season with a pair of crucial assists against Cesena. Embodied Sassuolo’s recovery with a powerful run for Simone Zaza to finish off and then a clever pass into Saphir Taider’s path. Inspiring.
Josip Ilicic [Fiorentina]
Notched his second brace in three League matches. He blasted Fiorentina ahead in Sunday’s Tuscan derby against Empoli with a rasping drive, before threading through the returning Mohamed Salah and finally firing home the winner midway through the second half. Prolific.
Alejandro Gomez [Atalanta]
All-but-secured Atalanta’s place in Serie A for another season with a performance befitting the No 10 jersey at Palermo, delivering the corner which Sinisa Andjelkovic headed into his own net and then powering a finish past Samir Ujkani with aplomb. Electric.
Honourable Mentions: Andrea Consigli [Sassuolo] Francesco Acerbi [Sassuolo] Alfred Duncan [Sampdoria] Tino Costa [Genoa] Simone Missiroli [Sassuolo] Emil Hallfredsson [Verona] Keisuke Honda [Milan] Leonardo Pavoletti [Genoa]