Serie A 2013-14: Team Of The Week – Round 33

Date: 15th April 2014 at 8:31pm
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Round 33 of the Serie A season saw goals galore, with 38 being scored across the weekend’s 10 fixtures.

Third, fourth and fifth all won, with Fiorentina enjoying a 5-3 victory away to Hellas Verona, Inter running out 4-0 winners against Sampdoria, and Napoli beating Lazio 4-2 at the Stadio San Paolo. Meanwhile, frontrunners Juventus and Roma both kept the pace at the summit of the table with three points earned away to Udinese and at home to Atalanta respectively.

Ciro Immobile struck once more to help Torino to a precious three points, and Riccardo Montolivo led AC Milan to their fourth consecutive win, as both sides continued their push for a Europa League place.

At the bottom, only Bologna and Sassuolo managed to pick up draws, as none of the bottom four could muster a win.

The formation this week is a 4-4-2 with a touch less youth than experience. The team sport’s four players from capital side Roma, while four Italians make the grade.

As ever please feel free to leave a comment if you disagree with any of the choices made.

Samir Handanovic – Inter (3 Team of The Week appearances)

The Slovenian is hitting a purple patch just in time for the end of season run-in, and is making his second appearance in a row in the team of the week. If Inter ended the first half in front against Sampdoria, it is almost all thanks to him – Firstly he saved a penalty from Maxi Lopez in the 18th minute, then nearly single-handedly kept his side in the game with no less than four decisive saves, two of those miraculous. Did brilliantly to keep a clean sheet, and must be applauded for his efforts.

Mattia Cassani – Parma (3 apps)

Put in a solid display, but suffered for three quarters of the game against Archimede Morleo on the right flank. The ex-Palermo man made an incredible goal line clearance with the end of his left boot to deny Jonathan Cristaldo an almost certain goal, and features for the second time in succession in the team of the week.

Walter Samuel – Inter

Struggled a little against Maxi Lopez at the start of the game, but grew into the match and gained control over the Sampdoria striker as time wore on. Scored the second goal which brought calm to his side after an uneasy first period for the Nerazzurri.

Leandro Castan – Roma (4 apps)

In the absence of Medhi Benatia, the Brazilian has had to step up and become a defensive leader for the team, and he did so admirably against Atalanta. He made a crucial last man tackle, six interceptions and five clearances, and was one of the best players in a Roma shirt.

Dodo – Roma (2 apps)

The Brazilian isn’t known as the most reliable of full-backs, but he had a game to remember on Sunday. He put in dangerous cross after dangerous cross, and assisted Rodrigo Taddei for his side’s opening goal. The standout defender for the capital club on the day.

Juan Iturbe – Hellas Verona (3 apps)

The young Argentine is clearly destined for a bright future, and put in yet another star performance against Fiorentina, despite the Mastini’s 5-3 home defeat. Scored his team’s third goal of the game with an excellent strike.

Alberto Aquilani – Fiorentina (2 apps)

The former Roma and Liverpool man was pivotal in the middle for the Viola, and had a near-flawless game, with two goals and a 95 per cent pass accuracy. In this form he will almost certainly be a shoe-in to make Cesare Prandelli’s World Cup squad.

Daniele De Rossi – Roma (5 apps)

The 30-year-old put in a monstrous performance against Atalanta, laying on a selfless assist for Ljajic, and making an incredible defensive intervention against German Denis. De Rossi is a leader for the Lupi, and is in fantastic form at this crucial point of the season.

Adem Ljajic – Roma

Has his teammate De Rossi to thank for the assist for his goal, which ended a three-month drought for the Serbian youngster. Demonstrated great determination and desire, and connected well with Francesco Totti and Gervinho, providing an assist for the latter. After a difficult start to his Roma career, it’s becoming clear that if he feels trusted, he can become decisive for this side. Hit the post after the restart, and was unlucky not to get a second.

Rodrigo Palacio – Inter (2 apps)

The Argentine forward is his side’s top scorer this term, and was man of the match, scoring another and laying on two assists for his teammates against Sampdoria. A real favourite of Walter Mazzarri, and understandably one of the first names on the team sheet.

Alberto Paloschi – Chievo (2 apps)

Another memorable day for the 24-year-old. Scored a hattrick, could have gotten a fourth (had it not been for the brilliance of Francesco Bardi), and provided an assist in a man of the match performance. In this kind of form, the former Milan youth product certainly stands a chance of making the plane to Brazil this summer.

Follow Anthony Alborino on Twitter: @anthonyalborino

 

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