In the week the great Javier Zanetti played his last game at San Siro, Dave Taylor names him and another 10 supporting acts in his best XI from Round 37.

Samir Handanovic [Inter]

Won the points for Inter with several superb saves, although he could have been more alert for Lazio’s opener. The Slovenian was at his reflexive best in the second half when he stopped a deflected shot off teammate Rolando. Essential.

Javier Zanetti [Inter]

In the week the great Javier Zanetti played his last game at San Siro, Dave Taylor names him and another 10 supporting acts in his best XI from Round 37.

Samir Handanovic [Inter]

Won the points for Inter with several superb saves, although he could have been more alert for Lazio’s opener. The Slovenian was at his reflexive best in the second half when he stopped a deflected shot off teammate Rolando. Essential.

Javier Zanetti [Inter]

In 30 minutes Il Capitano made five useful dribbles, several devastating runs and his elegant action exemplified the resolve, guidance and technique that has delighted football fans for almost two decades. Supreme.

Dario Dainelli [Chievo]

The determined 34-year-old led the back line with cool authority. Unafraid to move up field, he scored his second goal of the season with a solidly struck header and also snuffed out Victor Ibarbo despite the forward’s pace. Fundamental.

Fabian Monzon [Catania]

The Argentinean left-back held the defence together for an hour with just 10 men, making three absolutely crucial challenges and a handful of positive clearances. Furthermore he also scored from a free-kick as well as producing an assist. Decisive.  

Jose Callejon [Napoli]

Napoli’s Man of the Match scored his 14th Serie A goal with a perfectly-placed free-kick, assisted another plus his ball forced the own goal. The Spaniard dominated the Samp defence throughout with his crosses, runs and sheer persistence. Dynamic.

Afriyie Acquah [Parma]

One of very few to harness Alessio Cerci, he showed some of the pacey winger’s skill whenever the opportunity arose and like Sideshow Bob stepping on rakes, Torino’s defenders were hurt and confused every time he got the ball. Indefatigable.  

Emil Hallfredsson [Verona]

Iceland’s international midfielder thought he had put the icing on the cake with the second goal from a difficult angle. It was just reward for the precision and determination of a performance that certainly warranted more than a point. Forceful.

Mateo Kovacic [Inter]

The young Croatian’s empirical approaches were as picky as Paracelsus while his peerless passing pierced Lazio’s defence on several occasions. With his slide rule balls and dribbling runs, he also made assists for Rodrigo Palacio and Mauro Icardi.  Remorseless.

Lorenzo Insigne [Napoli]

As bouncy as a bikini-clad pitch invader, the Neapolitan was in top form, scoring his third goal in as many matches with an exquisite right-footer high into the net. Always threatening, his superb long balls caused many problems. Relentless.

Rodrigo Palacio [Inter]

Scored twice and made the Lazio defence look as resistant as a bungee cord made of candyfloss. His first saw him spring the offside trap then coolly slot the ball beyond the ‘keeper before muscling home the second. Significant.

Antonio Floro Flores [Sassuolo]

On loan from Genoa and a perfect gentleman in more ways than one, the striker opened and closed the scoring with two sensational strikes. Both were decisive but the latter put to bed any Sassuolo salvation suspicions. Influential.

Special mentions: Franco Brienza [Atalanta], Luca Toni [Verona], Antonio de Natale [Udinese], Domenico Beradi [Sassuolo], Alberto Frison [Catania], Mauro Icardi [Inter], Marco Storari [Juventus]., Duvan Zapata [Napoli], Juan Cuadrado [Fiorentina].

Byrob

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