With Juventus sneaking ever closer to the top and Napoli reaching the summit exclusively, Dave Taylor looks back on an exciting weekend and selects his best XI from Week 14.
Lukasz Skorupski [Empoli]
With Juventus sneaking ever closer to the top and Napoli reaching the summit exclusively, Dave Taylor looks back on an exciting weekend and selects his best XI from Week 14.
Lukasz Skorupski [Empoli]
Saw quite a lot of the ball and was kept busy making half a dozen clearances and interceptions. The Pole was secure throughout with some crucial saves including efforts from Miroslav Klose and Filip Djordjevic that helped win the points. Solid.
Sime Vrsaljko [Sassuolo]
The Croatian 23-year-old covered the right flank, bringing a balance by defending and adding to the attack when needed. Caused problems with his runs and it was from his clever assist that Sergio Floccari scored. Sharp.
Lorenzo Tonelli [Empoli]
Not only did he put the brakes on the Lazio strike force but also scored the only goal. Losing his marker, he met Leandro Paredes’ free kick with a brilliant diving headerthat flew back across goal past Federico Marchetti. Commanding.
Giorgio Chiellini [Juventus]
Palermo knocked a couple of times but no way did the big man allow them into the house. Completely solid and so authorative that it was almost routine for the best defender on the pitch. Imposing.
Cristian Molinaro [Torino]
After the team and club were coated by their fans the Bologna forwards were coated once again, this time by Molinaro. Exacting and precise, he put his heart and soul into every tackle and clearance. Daunting.
Alessio Cerci [Milan]
Scored early on only to be ruled offside but worried the Samp ‘keeper throughout with crosses and shots on and off target. Never less than optimistic, it was his fine cross that set up substitute Luiz Adriano’s goal. Menacing.
Giuseppe Vives [Torino]
At the heart of the best of the Bulls’ forward play and would have scored if not for a fabulous fingertip save. However, he never gave up and was rewarded by scoring from the tightest of angles at the death. Constructive.
Giacomo Bonaventura [Milan]
Opened the scoring when he struck home from a few yards from Niang’s cross. Continued to push forward, causing problems with the ball and won a penalty from Lorenzo De Silvestri for Niang to convert. Positive.
Gonzalo Higuain [Napoli]
Pipita was the star of the show, scoring a breathtaking brace and narrowly missing one with Samir Handanovic making a fingertip save on another. His first was a ferocious strike while his second saw him outsprint two defenders before outmuscling another. Brilliant.
M’Baye Niang [Milan]
The 20-year-old was almost unplayable and could not be stopped as he scored twice and produced an assist. After netting his first Serie A goal via a penalty, he scored his second when he slotted home after exploiting a mistake. Tormenting.
Marco Borriello [Carpi]
The former Genoa striker came on after 51 minutes and turned the game around. First off he scored the equaliser from the tightest of angles then skimmed the post before adding the coup de grace with an assist for the second. Productive.
Special Mentions: Alejandro Gomez [Atalanta],Adem Ljajic [Inter]Bruno Peres [Torino],Andrea Belotti [Torino],Cristian Zaccardo [Carpi],Stefano Sturaro [Juventus],Gabriel Paletta [Atalanta].