Serie A Team Of The Week: Round 33

BEST XI

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Goalkeeper

Samir Handanovic (Udinese): Despite a rocky start, the young goalkeeper made at least three saves that earned his side three points in Verona. He absolutely robbed the Flying Donkeys of a result with his heroics.

Defence

Gianluca Zambrotta (Milan): He played down the left, but for our purposes he will suit up on the right because he was one of the best wing-backs of this round. The Italian veteran has hit a rich vein of form and was active in both attack and defence, helping to completely nullify Palermo at the San Siro.

Fabiano Santacroce (Napoli): An extremely solid performance from the Azzurrini star. Marcello Lippi was in attendance at the San Paolo and will surely have taken note of his ability to shut down Mario Balotelli and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Claudio Terzi (Bologna): There are few defenders who can say they tamed Diego Milito this campaign, the Felsinei captain is now one of them. He also scored a crucial goal for his team to assist in their battle against relegation.

Gianpaolo Bellini (Atalanta): The player took the captain’s armband once Crsitiano Doni left the field due to injury, and he led by example. He made few mistakes and two game-saving clearances at the Stadio Olimpico.

Midfield

Gaby Mudingayi (Bologna): The Belgian was absolutely immense for the Rossoblu. Genoa have been able to control many games with their midfield this season, but not on this occasion as Mudingayi chased after every ball and broke up plenty of the Grifoni’s offensive plays.

Gaetano D’Agostino (Udinese): He is in sparkling form at the moment, scoring his second consecutive brace, this time against Chievo and thus earning his place in the Team Of The Week once more. Surely, he is being considered for a role in the Confederations Cup.

Antonio Cassano (Sampdoria): What would the Genoa-based side do without him? Another assist and a late goal to earn a draw for his side too, he is arguably the best attacking player in Serie A.

Kaka (Milan): Finally, the Brazilian maestro looked back to his ‘Golden Ball’ performances, converting two penalties. He was the most influential for the Rossoneri as they eased past Palermo.

Stevan Jovetic (Fiorentina): The Montengrin international was devastating in the trequartista role for the Viola, dictating the play as his side won 4-1 over Roma. His creativity was evident and his one-time ball to help set up Fiorentina’s second spectacularly killed off the match.

Attack

Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina): Two fine goals, including one where he absolutely dumbfounded Christian Panucci, bringing his Serie A seasonal tally up to 18 and helping his team into fourth place.


Honourable Mention

Fabio Quagliarella (Udinese)
Alexis Sanchez (Udinese)
Juan Vargas (Fiorentina)
Francesco Valiani (Bologna)
Marco Di Vaio (Bologna)
Leonardo Talamonti (Atalanta)
Francesco Benussi (Lecce)
Simone Tiribocchi (Lecce) 
Jorge Martinez (Catania)
Massimo Ambrosini (Milan)
Filippo Inzaghi (Milan)
Andrea Pirlo (Milan)
Emil Hallfredsson (Reggina)
Antonino Barilla (Reggina)
Cristiano Zanetti (Juventus)
Guido Marilungo (Sampdoria)
Michele Fini (Cagliari)
Daniele Conti  (Cagliari)
Andrea Lazzari (Cagliari)
Rolando Bianchi (Torino)
Marcelo Zalayeta (Napoli)

Adam Scime, Goal.com