While Serie A’s established stars continued to shine, others made an unexpected impact in 2021. Football Italia examines five who surpassed targets and defied assumptions this year.
Dusan Vlahovic (Fiorentina)
The Serbian forward fulfilled and exceeded all realistic expectations in a breakout year of astronomical proportions.
At the start of 2021, the promising striker had netted just four times in Serie A.
Yet he upped his game significantly and moved through the gears in a stunning transformation, scoring a further 17 league goals to end the 2020-2021 campaign with 21 to finish fourth in the Capocannoniere standings.
Incredibly, the 21-year-old has found a new level of consistency in this campaign, striking 16 times to equal Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 33 Serie A goals in a calendar year and becoming the second most prolific striker in Europe’s top five leagues after Robert Lewandowski.
The lethal left-footer has become one of the most wanted attackers in Europe and his value has skyrocketed as a result. The Serb is a prime target for Juventus and is being watched by a host of English Premier League clubs.
Gleison Bremer (Torino)
Central defenders rarely make the headlines, but the powerful Brazilian has emerged as one of the best in Italian football in 2021.
It is only a matter of time before the 24-year-old gains international recognition as he continues to make great strides at Toro.
He played a major part in making sure Torino avoided a catastrophic drop to the second-tier last term and has been hugely influential as Ivan Juric’s side sit comfortably in mid-table this campaign.
Precise in the tackle, a commanding aerial presence and supremely confident in leading out at pace from deep, his startling ascent has not gone unnoticed.
The former Atletico Mineiro player has been constantly connected with Italian and English heavyweights, including Milan, Inter, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham, but Torino President Urbano Cairo is unwilling to sell his prize asset and is confident the Brazilin will extend his contract expiring in 2023.
Marcelo Brozovic (Inter)
The skilful midfielder became an indispensable anchor for the Nerazzurri as they surged to the Serie A title and overcame the loss of key players to lead the league this season.
While his talent and ability were unquestionable the Croatian’s elevated performances in 2021 raised his status to irreplaceable starter.
In the dual role of defensive protector and versatile playmaker, the 29-year-old has continually caught the eye, always willing to put his body on the line in the tackle and spraying pinpoint passes with deceptive ease.
His contribution has often been overlooked as other players hog the limelight, but the Croat remains an integral part of Inter’s upward curve this year.
Fiyako Tomori (Milan)
From the fringes at Chelsea to the main stage at Milan, the tenacious central defender has made a seamless adaptation to life in Serie A.
Determined not to be on the lengthy list of forgotten Cobham youth products that failed to make the grade after endless loans, the 24-year-old escaped his comfort zone and has become a revelation at the heart of the Milan defence.
A successful loan spell from January until the climax of the 2020-2021 season convinced the Rossoneri to sign him permanently from Chelsea.
Gareth Southgate was impressed with his consistently impressive displays and recalled him to the England squad after the Euros.
His controlled aggression, adeptness at perfectly timed interceptions and astute distribution are all qualities that have helped him adjust quickly to the Italian game.
Gianluca Scamacca (Sassuolo)
It has been a breakthrough year for the exceptionally gifted Rome-born attacker.
The 22-year-old showed glimpses of his potential on loan at Genoa from Sassuolo, netting six goals in 2021 last term.
He returned to the Neroverdi and stunned the Calcio world with a pair of spectacular goals this season.
The sheer technical brilliance of an aesthetically pleasing long-range strike against Milan took many off guards. The thumping shot which clipped the bar as it flew into the net silenced the San Siro as Sassuolo recorded a startling upset 3-1 victory in late November.
He followed it up with another stunner, controlling with his chest and smashing in an unstoppable volley as Alessio Dionisi’s side came back from two goals down to claim a point against Napoli.
The tall forward has been called up twice for the Azzurri, and after netting six times in the current campaign has Juventus and Inter both vying to secure his services.