Serie A Team of Week 25

By Football Italia staff

With none of the top three winning, Lazio moved a step closer to a Champions League spot as Dave Taylor selects his best XI from round 25.

Norberto Neto [Fiorentina]

The Brazilian was on form and Inter found goals harder to come by than truffles in a thousand-acre woodland. In the second half he saved several goal-worthy efforts; especially when he finger-tipped a Rodrigo Palacio header to safety. Total.



Federico Mattiello [Chievo]

Like a young barber cutting the hair of the Roma homeless via the Pope’s blessing, he was an optimistic volunteer and showed a bright future. Comprehensive in attack and defence, he crucially cut out a dangerous Giampaolo Pazzini effort. Complete.

Kamil Glik [Torino]

Played a captain’s game by leading at the back and inspiring up front. Controlled Gonzalo Higuain with relative ease and also scored the winning goal with a well-timed header and almost repeating the action a few minutes later. Commanding.

Stefan de Vrij [Lazio]

Controlled the centre of the pitch, protecting his goalkeeper with several decisive interventions later in the game. Never allowed the opposition forwards any hold on the game and played solidly throughout. Significant.

Stefan Radu [Lazio]

Another classic performance from the Romanian. Added to the attack while also commanding the left flank, making sure the hosts made no headway down his side. Substantial.

Felipe Anderson [Lazio]

The Brazilian ace caused Sassuolo plenty of problems and his outrageous curved ball strike opened the scoring in the first half. Always a threat he put on a man of the match performance and produced assists for the other two goals. Magical.

Riccardo Saponara [Empoli]

Kept the hosts busy, creating problems in the heart of their defence. Always looking to generate something; his guile played a big part in Empoli gaining a well-deserved point.

Seydou Keita [Lazio]

Was always there to receive the ball, taking the lead in midfield and pushing up looking for openings. In the second half he found space at the back post from a corner to nod home the vital equalizer. Crucial.

Emil Hallfredsson [Verona]

Playing on the left the Icelander caused problems and his perfect cross for Luca Toni saw the big striker open the scoring. Keeping up the pressure his free kick later allowed Juanito Taleb to nod home for the points. Unyielding.

Stefano Okaka [Sampdoria]

A top performance, he pushed for a goal throughout and was rewarded for his hard work when he scored the winner by being in the right place at the right time. He also set up the equalizer. Eminent.

Luca Toni [Verona]

As usual he was a thorn in the backside of the opposition as he launched himself at everything like a love-struck teenager. The veteran’s firm header opened the scoring while he also occupied the defenders for the second goal. Prominent.





Special Mentions: Andrea Consigli [Sassuolo], Luis Muriel [Sampdoria], Matteo Darmian [Torino], Franco Brienza [Cesena], Gabriele Perico [Cesena], Mohamed Salah [Fiorentina], Arturo Vidal [Juventus], Carlos Tevez [Juventus], Kostas Manolas [Roma].



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