With the halfway stage of the Serie A season reached we at ForzaItalianFootball.com felt it was an ideal time to review the star performers of the campaign so far.
The following is the Serie A Team of The Season so far consisting of the players who have made the most appearances in the weekly Team of The Week.
Competition for places was intense and on certain occasions players were often tied on appearances, in these instances it was up to the writer’s discretion as to who made it into the prestigious eleven.
The formation for the team is a 4-2-3-1 with Carlos Tevez spearheading the attack.
As ever please feel to leave a comment if you disagree with any of our choices.
Mattia Perin – Genoa (3 Team of The Week Appearances)
Has continued his positive form from the previous season, putting in consistently impressive performances as his Genoa side threatened to secure a top three finish. Sill makes the occasional mistake and could improve his decision making at times, but is certainly one of the best young keepers in Europe.
AC Milan keeper Diego Lopez also deserves a mention as he had also made three Team of The Week appearances.
Stephan Lichtsteiner – Juventus (3 apps)
It’s been business as usual for big Swiss wingback. The former Lazio man has been as influential as ever for the Bianconeri with his bustling runs down the right flank and intelligent link up play with his midfield colleagues. Has already notched up two goals this season.
Daniele Rugani – Empoli (3 apps)
In the space of six months the Juventus owned youngster has progressed from a highly touted prospect to a Serie A stalwart. There has still been the odd blip along the way but on the whole it has been an impressive start to his top flight career, and he has earned himself a call up to the national squad in the process.
Juventus centre back Angelo Ogbonna also deserves a mention for his improved form, resulting in the stopper also having made three Team of The Week appearances so far.
Stefan de Vrij – Lazio (4 apps)
The former Feyenoord man joined Lazio on the back of a string of impressive performances at the World Cup, and immediately settled into life in Italy. Helped the Biancocelesti to a strong first half of the season, earning himself a noteworthy four Team of The Week appearances already.
Sime Vrsaljko – Sassuolo (2 apps)
Sassuolo pulled of somewhat of a coup when they signed Sime Vrsaljko from Genoa last summer. The Croatian fullback had impressed in his debut season in Serie A and was earmarked for a move to one of the league’s larger clubs before the Neroverdi swooped. Capable of playing on either the right or left he has put in some solid defensive displays whilst still making his trademark attacking runs down the flank.
Paul Pogba – Juventus (6 apps)
Continuing injury concerns for Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo have meant the young Frenchman has had to step up and become a leader for the Old Lady. Never short of confidence or self belief, the former Manchester United man has gleefully taken up the responsibly and put a number of match winning performances, scoring three goals in the process.
Radja Nainggolan – Roma (3 apps)
Initially seen as a stop gap signing last December to cover the injury to Kevin Strootman, however the Belgian has now developed into a firm fan favourite amongst the Giallorossi supporters. He has started this season the way he ended the previous one and is arguably just as important to the midfield, if not more so, than Daniele De Rossi.
Jeremy Menez – AC Milan (3 apps)
The enigmatic Frenchman has taken to life at the San Siro with aplomb, offering much needed moments of flair and creativity for a workmanlike Rossoneri outfit. There have been the odd frustrating, anonymous performance that have characterized his career but that was probably always to be expected. An exquisite derby goal against Inter and an audacious back heel flick against Parma are some of the high points of his season to date.
Felipe Anderson – Lazio (4 apps)
The Brazilian has well and truly turned on the after burners in the last two months providing several man of the match performances. Largely considered a flop last season, he is now showing the form that made him one of the best talents in South America with Santos.
He narrowly edged out Adem Ljajic in the line up, the Serbian having made one less Team of The Week appearance.
Paulo Dybala – Palermo (3 apps)
The new ‘Sergio Aguero’ as he was dubbed may have initially taken some time to adjust to life in Italy, but he is now demonstrating his qualities to everyone. Best playing behind a central striker, the Argentine has been in electric form with his close control and dribbling. Has scored nine goals so far and has laid on countless assists for his team mates.
Carlos Tevez – Juventus (4 apps)
It’s probably a sign of how good ‘El Apache’ is that we just assume that he will continue to deliver the goods. The Argentine has been in superb form so far this season, netting eleven league goals so far whilst never compromising his admirable work rate and pressing of opponents.
Veteran marksman Antonio Di Natale was also close to making the side, having notched up just one less Team of The Week appearance than the former Boca Juniors star.
Disturbing that only 2 out of the starting 11 are Italians. The positive is that those 2 Italians are young players. Maybe better things are coming. I hope.
How does the second place team only have one rep?