Serie A Team of the Week: Samuel's 10 out of 10 performance stands out from the crowd

08/10/2012 10:00:00 PM

Goal.com looks at the star performers from the latest round of Italian league action at the weekend

Another week of Serie A football, and inevitably came another cocktail of drama, quality and controversy. The Milan derby took centre stage on Sunday night, but Goal.com had already had its eye across a whole host of excellent performances worthy of recognition in our Team of the Week.

Maarten Stekelenburg may have displayed some moments of uncertainty this season, but he was key to Roma's win over Atalanta, as the visitors' early onslaught was made to count for nothing.

Federico Fernandez staked a claim for a regular starting spot at Napoli with a commanding performance in the victory over Udinese, while Davide Astori was one of the major reasons behind Cagliari's first win of the season, away to Torino. And then there was Mr. 10 out of 10, Walter Samuel, whose winner in the Milan derby continued his perfect streak in an Inter shirt against the old enemy.

Juventus continued their unbeaten run in Serie A, and clinched top spot ahead of the break thanks to Claudio Marchisio's late winner, and Antonio Candreva was also on the winning side as Lazio took three points from Pescara after a barnstorming first half in which the wide man was prevalent. Andrea Pirlo scored another wonderful free-kick in the win at Siena, while Marek Hamsik chalked up yet another Team of the Week appearance thanks to his goal and general contribution in Napoli's sixth win in seven against Udinese.

Francesco Totti's return to form continued to be the bright spot of Roma's season as he helped drag the Giallorossi through a tough start to beat Atalanta, but city rivals Lazio again had the goals of Miroslav Klose to thank as they saw off plucky Pescara thanks to the German's brace. Finally, Pablo Barrientos gets further recognition for his displays after his contribution against Parma helped to propel Catania back up to seventh.

STEKELENBURG

ROMA

vs Atalanta (H)

Rating:

TOTW Apps: 1

FERNANDEZ	ASTORI	SAMUEL

NAPOLI	CAGLIARI	INTER
vs Udinese (H)	vs Torino (A)	vs Milan (A)
Rating:	Rating:	Rating:
TOTW Apps: 1	TOTW Apps: 1	TOTW Apps: 1

MARCHISIO	CANDREVA	PIRLO	HAMSIK

JUVENTUS	LAZIO	JUVENTUS	NAPOLI
vs Siena (A)	vs Pescara (A)	vs Siena (A)	vs Udinese (H)
Rating:	Rating:	Rating:	Rating:
TOTW Apps: 2	TOTW Apps: 2	TOTW Apps: 2	TOTW Apps: 5

TOTTI	KLOSE	BARRIENTOS

ROMA	LAZIO	CATANIA
vs Atalanta (H)	vs Pescara (A)	vs Parma (H)
Rating:	Rating:	Rating:
TOTW Apps: 1	TOTW Apps: 2	TOTW Apps: 2