Goal.com Special: Serie A Worst Team Of The Season 2009-10

Goalkeeper

Marco Amelia (Genoa, Castrol Ranking 187): When Palermo off-loaded Amelia in exchange for Rubinho, many raised eyebrows, but perhaps they had premonitions regarding his poor form that has seen Italy’s undisputed back up to Gianluigi Buffon become an erratic shot stopper that will likely never return to the international scene. Genoa have shipped the second highest amount of goals in Serie A this season (61) and he was embarrassed on highlight reels when his terrible clearance saw Dejan Stankovic lob him from the half-way line in a 5-0 loss.

Defence

Massimo Oddo (Milan, Castrol Ranking 1332): Like several of Milan’s older contingent, the 33-year-old is simply past it. The only time the Rossoneri would use him is when injuries forced them too as he found himself behind Gianluca Zambrotta, Daniele Bonera, and Ignazio Abate in the pecking order, a trio who were not particularly impressive themselves. He was embarrassed by Fabrizio Miccoli in a recent 3-1 loss to Palermo.

Cristian Zapata (Udinese, Castrol Ranking  1074): Once regarded as one of the top young defenders in world football, the Colombian’s stock has nosedived worse than the Euro currency. Since suffering an injury in the summer of 2008, Zapata has hardly looked the same player and has been a disappointment in a Friuli backline that only managed one win on their travels all season.

Emilson Cribari (Lazio/Siena, Castrol Ranking 1273): Only playing a handful of games for Lazio during the first half of the campaign, the Bianconcelesti discarded him on loan to relegation battlers Siena. It was expected his experience would add some stability to the Robur, however, he arguably made things worse. You could tell things weren’t going to go well when he was sent off for dissent in his first match with the Tuscans in January.

Fabio Grosso (Juventus, Castrol Ranking 608): Many praised the acquisition of the defender, as left-back had been a problem area for the Bianconeri following Calcipoli, unfortunately the World Cup winner did not alleviate those concerns and in the second-half of the season outright lost his place to youngster Paolo De Ceglie.

Midfield

Nico Pulzetti (Livorno, Castrol Ranking 717): The Amaranto bet on the 26-year-old to carry their midfield, but it was one they probably regret. The Rimini-born player flopped  after the departures of Alessandro Diamanti, and then Antonio Candreva, meaning Livorno’s midfield lacked creativity and cutting edge.

Diego (Juventus, Castrol Ranking 90): Juve pulled out all the stops to bring in the Brazilian from Werder Bremen, but despite a promising start he performed poorly when everyone expected him to be the new star in Turin. Perhaps it’s just a matter of adapting to his new surroundings, but Diego certainly has to step up next season.

Quaresma (Inter, Castrol Ranking 2035): Same old story for the Portuguese this season. After returning from his loan spell at Chelsea he did not manage to improve in any way, shape, or form. Jose Mourinho seldom used the winger, except in late and dramatic circumstances. Usually his entrance meant the San Siro crowd would start to file out the door.

Attack

Robert Acquafresca (Genoa/Atalanta, Castrol Ranking 1187): Some questioned Inter’s decision to send a promising young star away in the deal for Diego Milito, but based on the Italian’s inadequacies in front of goal they made the right move. After two successful stints with loan Cagliari, the youngster should have improved further, but he could not even break into the Atalanta starting XI and when recalled back to the Grifoni managed a meagre two goals. He’s young enough to turn things round, but can’t afford another season like this...

Amauri (Juventus, Castrol Ranking 440): It was only a few months ago there was this huge fuss over Amauri attempting to get his Italian passport and now that he has it, no one wants him anywhere near the Azzurri. An unequivocal flop this season – the Brazilian-born player has been immobile, impotent, and overall failed to provide any threat on most occasions with just five goals in Serie A.

Mauro Zarate (Lazio, Castrol Ranking 405): Yes, the Argentine was in our Best XI last season as he led Lazio to Coppa Italia glory. But my how things have changed. After the Biancocelesti broke the bank to spend around €20 million to keep him at the Stadio Olimpico, he failed to replicate his form of the previous season. Just three goals in 32 appearances, by the end of the campaign he had lost his place in the line-up to the duo of Sergio Floccari and Tommaso Rocchi.