The second half of the Serie A season started this weekend, with Napoli and Juventus confirming their fine form and trailing away from the others.
As always there were plenty of wonder goals and emotions, from Luciano Spalletti making his return on the Roma bench to Sinisa Mihajlovic finally leading AC Milan to good results. To check up on the rest of the week’s action, check out our weekly roundup piece.
Our Team of the Week will see an adventurous 4-2-4 formation deployed.
Do you agree with our selection? Have your say in the comments below!
Samir Handanovic – Inter (3 Team of the Week appearances)
If the Nerazzurri came away from Bergamo with a point it is thanks to their goalkeeper. Consistent for 90 minutes, and demonstrated all his skills with the save of the season to deny Luca Cigarini from close range.
Cristian Ansaldi – Genoa
Genoa maintained a clean sheet and Ansaldi served the record number of assists in a single game: three. He sent Leonardo Pavoletti and Tomas Rincon on target and contributed to Genoa’s thrashing of Palermo in a crucial relegation battle.
Alessandro Romagnoli – AC Milan (2 apps)
Fiorentina had scored goals for 26 games in a row; AC Milan are now the first to stop the Viola since April. Romagnoli was defensively perfect, stopping Nikola Kalinic and his team-mates by posing any threat on the Rossoneri goal.
Daniele Rugani – Juventus
He has started to play regularly and to show what he was able to demonstrate for a whole season at Empoli: solidity at the back, composure on the ball and a clean, fresh display. Rugani is ready to be the new Andrea Barzagli.
Alex Sandro – Juventus (2 apps)
If Juventus didn’t concede it is also thanks to this player’s work on the left flank in limiting Udinese. And he also wonderfully finished on target to score the 0-4.
Emanuele Giaccherini – Bologna (3 apps)
‘Giaccherinho’ is officially back with an incredible free kick goal that reminded everyone of Brazil legend Roberto Carlos. He played with the usual hard work and flair on the wing, being decisive for the Rossoblu.
Kevin-Prince Boateng – AC Milan
Ok, he came on the pitch for just 10 minutes, but in that time, he scored a crucial goal and sent a message to the rest of Serie A: “I am back, and so is Milan”, with the Rossoneri beating Fiorentina and finally showing glimpses of good football.
Andrea Belotti – Torino
Yes, Ciro Immobile is back. But Belotti does not want to leave his starting position. Scored two goals and dragged Torino out of the crisis following five games without a win.
Gonzalo Higuain – Napoli (11 apps)
What more can be said? Another two decisive goals to make it 20 in 20 games, with Napoli dashing away from the teams behind and keeping on dreaming towards the Scudetto.
Leonardo Pavoletti – Genoa
Another brace to confirm he is currently the most in-form Italian centre-forward. The second goal was an absolute beauty with a brilliant scissor-kick to make it 4-0. Absolutely Pavo-lous.
Paulo Dybala – Juventus (4 apps)
If Napoli have Higuain, Juventus have Dybala. Another wonder free kick for the young Argentian who is the icing on the cake of the Bianconeri who are on a 10 consecutive win streak.
Source: forzaitalianfootball.com