Serie A 2016-17: Team of the Week – Round 2

Date: 30th August 2016 at 12:14am
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Sami Khedira gave Juventus another win, as the Bianconeri find their second in a row. With them, top of the league with six points are also Sassuolo and the two Genoese clubs, Sampdoria and Genoa.

Inter were unable to find their first victory, as Palermo snatched a point at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, whilst Torino and Fiorentina got their first three points of the season.

Roma clashed with Cagliari and fell to a draw, as Crotone, Empoli, and Atalanta all lost.

This week’s Team of the Week will see an attacking 3-4-3 formation deployed.

Andrea Consigli – Sassuolo

He could not do much on Pescara’s goal, but contributed substantially to Sassuolo’s second win in two games, putting the Neroverdi top of the league. Some crucial saves, maintaining the 2-1 and helping Eusebio Di Francesco’s side to the victory.

Mehdi Benatia – Juventus

First game as a starter for Juventus in Serie A, due to Leonardo Bonucci’s absence. He won 11 tackles, a personal record like only one other time at Roma and no worries whatsoever on his side, on the centre-right. In the first half, he saved a dangerous ball floating in Juve’s box after a Felipe Anderson cross. Solid defender, who would be a starter in any other Serie A side.

Serie A TOTW 2 16:17Bastos – Lazio

The Angolan giant was a surprise in the starting XI but proved to be a wonderful decision by Simone Inzaghi. Yes, Lazio lost, but Bastos muted first Mario Mandzukic and then the great Gonzalo Higuain, keeping the Biancocelesti alive and showing great character and strength.

Felipe – Udinese

An important contribution up front, scoring the goal that breaks the ice and puts Udinese in the lead against Empoli. At the back, though, he was always clean and precise, stopping the visitors attacks regularly.

Dries Mertens – Napoli (2 Team of the Week appearances)

What a player down that left flank. A bit like Arjen Robben: you know he will go on his strong foot and curl the ball on goal, but you just cannot stop him. Against AC Milan, he piled together five shots on target: one hit the post, three were brilliantly saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma, and two led to goals. What more can he do?

Sami Khedira – Juventus (2 apps)

Probably the most useful player in Serie A right now. A real machine in midfield, annihilating Lazio’s Marco Parolo and Lucas Biglia – especially in the second half – and finding the perfect timing to penetrate into the Biancocelesti’s box to pick up Paulo Dybala’s assist and fire home the winner.

Carlos Sanchez – Fiorentina

At one point it seemed like there were four of him on the pitch. Sanchez was simply everywhere, blocking Chievo’s attackers in defence and pressing the visitors’ midfield further up the pitch. And he scored the decisive goal. Stunning debut at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, on the night of Fiorentina’s 90th birthday celebrations.

Jose Callejon – Napoli

Without Gonzalo Higuain, players like Callejon will need to score more for Napoli. And that’s exactly what the Spaniard did against Milan, netting home two crucial goals in the moment when the Rossoneri looked at their best. His goals seem easy, but to be there at the right time is fundamental.

Arkadiusz Milik – Napoli

Higuain who? Napoli lost their No.9, but have a No.99 who can score just as much (at least in his first game). Two goals – an easy tap-in and a lovely header – to put the Partenopei 2-0 up against Milan. He also worked hard for his teammates and seemed to fit already very well in Maurizio Sarri’s system.

Andrea Belotti – Torino

Incredible, but he missed another penalty, the second in two games. But what can you say to someone who scores a hat-trick? Wonderful night, to show Giampiero Ventura that the call to play for Italy is more than deserved.

Leonardo Pavoletti – Genoa

Another one who deserves to play for the Azzurri is Pavoletti, who started the new season as he ended the old one: scoring for Genoa. In the 3-1 win away to Crotone, Pavo-loso netted the second and third to secure the three points. A beautiful header and a deadly volley.

 

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