Serie A 2015-16: Team Of The Week – Round 23

Date: 4th February 2016 at 10:05am
Written by:

It is still Napoli and Juventus at the top after this midweek round of fixtures in Serie A, with three Partenopei in the Team of the Week.

A lot of emotions and great games as always, with Gonzalo Higuain confirming his form and Mauro Zarate making a brilliant return to the Serie A scoresheet and a new entry in our Team of the Week. Keep an eye on the site for our weekly roundup piece to catch up on the rest of the round’s action.

Our Team of the Week will see an attacking 3-4-3 formation deployed.

Do you agree with our selection? Have your say in the comments below!

Pepe Reina – Napoli (2 Team of the Week appearances)

If Napoli came away from the Stadio Olimpico with a clean sheet, it is all thanks to him. He flew everywhere to deny Lazio the chance to get back in the game and keep the points safe for the visitors.

Maicon – Roma (3 apps)

The Maicon in Sassuolo reminded every one of the player who lifted the Treble back in 2010. A constant machine on the right flank, running up and down constantly and mixing quality with physicality.

TOTW 15:16 GW23Kalidou Koulibaly – Napoli (3 apps)

A real monster in the Napoli defence. He dominated his area, both in the air and using his physical strength to limit the attacks of Lazio’s fast strikers.

Yuto Nagatomo – Inter

He was everywhere: up front, at the back, in the middle. A really solid display for the Japanese full-back, who served tons of interesting crosses in the opponents box.

Jose Callejon – Napoli (2 apps)

The Partenopei have another weapon other than Gonzalo Higuain and Lorenzo Insigne. Callejon scored again, served the assist for Higuain and dominated his flank, annihilating Lazio’s Felipe Anderson.

Giacomo Bonaventura – AC Milan (5 apps)

Whenever the ball reaches his feet you can be sure something interesting will happen. In Palermo, he dribbled by opponents with incredible ease and created several dangerous situations. He is the bright spark in Milan’s midfield.

Borja Valero – Fiorentina (5 apps)

The way he went into Carpi’s defence, collected Josip Ilicic’s assist, and deposited the ball in the net with a gentle touch was simply class. Valero has plenty of it and was a constant threat to the visitors’ defence.

Juan Cuadrado – Juventus (2 apps)

From his foot came Genoa’s own goal that enabled Juventus to secure the three points. On top of this, he impressed in his will to sacrifice himself for the team and be in defence as much as he was up front.

Gonzalo Higuain – Napoli (12 apps)

A very lucky goal, but it is the 23rd in 23 games: unbelievable numbers, especially if one thinks that last year’s Capocannoniere ended the season on 22. The hard work was there as always and he was an absolute nightmare for Lazio’s defenders.

Giampaolo Pazzini – Hellas Verona

A symbolic presence: Hellas Verona won their first game in the 2015-16 season, and it was thanks to Pazzini’s winner. A beautiful goal, with a stop and a thunderous shot from within the box, in the style of a true No.9.

Mauro Zarate – Fiorentina

What a return to the Serie A that was. The Viola seemed doomed to a draw at home with Carpi, when the former West Ham United man picked up the ball, dribbled beyond two players from the left and curled the ball in the top corner: a real beauty. All he did in five minutes on the pitch, but was more than enough.

 

Comments are closed.