The first half of this season has come to an end in Serie A, with Napoli leading the table as Campioni d’Inverno.
There were eight away wins in what was an unusual weekend, full of great team displays and individual class.
Our Team of the Week will see a 3-4-3 formation deployed.
Do you agree with our selection? Have your say in the comments below!
Andrea Consigli – Sassuolo
The save on Adem Ljajic’s curler is a strong candidate to be the best of the season. Simply insuperable. If Sassuolo were able to beat top of the league Inter at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza it is because Consigli kept them alive throughout the game, saving everything that came his way.
Ezequiel Munoz – Genoa
He cancelled Alejandro Gomez from the pitch and offered a consistent and rock solid performance at the back, contributing to keep Genoa’s clean sheet away at Atalanta.
Raul Albiol – Napoli
As in the past months, very calm and solid at the back. Frosinone were not the hardest of opponents, but he easily covered his position and then scored the opener to what was a historic result for Napoli, who top the league after 19 games for the first time in 26 years.
Mario Rui – Empoli (Two Team of the Week appearances)
Attacked and defended with the usual quality, especially in the first half. He hit the bar with a lovely free kick and never stopped running.
Simone Pepe – Chievo
Second consecutive goal after a long injury: Pepe is back. And this time, his strike against Bologna gave the visitors all three points against one of the most in-form sides of the league.
Marek Hamsik – Napoli (3 apps)
Maurizio Sarri said all he was missing this season were goals: he scored two in two games, and this was an absolute beauty as he slalomed past two defenders and then blasted a shot in the bottom corner. To this he added the usual will to help his team mates and give cover to the defence.
Paul Pogba – Juventus (2 apps)
The beauty that is his goal, and much more. He contributed to Juventus’ ninth consecutive win with the opener, and with an all rounder performance, defending as much as going forward. The Pogba we all know is back.
Alfred Duncan – Sassuolo
Returned to the San Siro but wasn’t scared. He combined quantity and quality, offering cover for the defensive line and attacking Inter, providing several crosses for his strikers.
Balde Diao Keita – Lazio
Got a chance from the start and takes it. A constant threat for Facundo Roncaglia and the Fiorentina defence. Scored the opener and gave Fiorentina problems for 90 minutes.
Gonzalo Higuain – Napoli (10 apps)
What more can be said about this striker? 18 goals in 19 games, and difficult ones too, and Napoli are top of the league. Scored a penalty in the first half then dribbled the whole defence for his second. Simply unstoppable.
Nicola Sansone – Sassuolo
He drove the Inter defence absolutely mental, making the most of his dribbles and pace. Comes off the pitch when the game is still 0-0, but was by far Sassuolo’s biggest threat to Inter, forcing Samir Handanovic to two lovely saves from two free kicks.
