Serie A Team of the Week: Five-star Lamela leads the line as Roma dominate

Dec 24, 2012 11:30:00 AM

Goal.com looks at the star performers from the latest round of action from the Italian top flight

As Serie A drew to a close for 2012, there were a number of notable performances in some surprising results. However, it is Roma who dominate the Team of the Week for round 18, with five players from their emphatic 4-2 triumph over AC Milan earning a place in our selection alongside a handful of newcomers.

Despite conceding twice late on, Mauro Goicoechea put in a superb display for Roma, making a vital save from Stephan El Shaarawy with the scores at 1-0, before his side stepped up their game to run out convincing winners.

Nicolas Burdisso was another stand-out player at Stadio Olimpico, curtailing the threat of Milan for much of the match after opening the scoring with a well-placed header. Andreas Granqvist put in a sublime defensive display at San Siro as Genoa secured a surprise point against Inter, while Fiorentina's Gonzalo Rodriguez was equally impressive in their 3-0 win at Palermo, in which he also scored a late penalty. Guglielmo Stendardo completes the back four following a strong showing in Atalanta's draw with Udinese.

Borja Valero was in inspired form for la Viola once again as they moved back into the Champions League places, and he gets the nod in our midfield three. Esteban Cambiasso, who salvaged a point for Inter with a late header, also lines up in the centre, while Daniele De Rossi showed just why Milan are keen on securing his services with a superb display for Roma, earning him the final place in our trio.

Ahead of them lie two further Roma representatives: Francesco Totti led by example in his side's rout of the Rossoneri, while Erik Lamela bagged an impressive double to cap a top-class performance in front of goal. Juventus' Alessandro Matri completes our line-up after his double on Friday night not only helped secure three points for the champions, but also dealt a timely reminder of his talents to Antonio Conte as the Bianconeri's search for a goalscorer intensifies.

GOICOECHEA

ROMA

vs AC Milan (H)

Rating:

TOTW Apps: 1

STENDARDO	GRANQVIST	RODRIGUEZ	BURDISSO

ATALANTA	GENOA	FIORENTINA	ROMA
vs Udinese (H)	vs Inter (A)	vs Palermo (A)	vs AC Milan (H)
Rating:	Rating:	Rating:	Rating:
TOTW Apps: 2	TOTW Apps: 1	TOTW Apps: 3	TOTW Apps: 1

BORJA VALERO	CAMBIASSO	DE ROSSI

FIORENTINA	INTER	ROMA
vs Palermo (A)	vs Genoa (H)	vs AC Milan (H)
Rating:	Rating:	Rating:
TOTW Apps: 3	TOTW Apps: 2	TOTW Apps: 3

TOTTI	MATRI	LAMELA

ROMA	JUVENTUS	ROMA
vs AC Milan (H)	vs Cagliari (A)	vs AC Milan (H)
Rating:	Rating:	Rating:
TOTW Apps: 5	TOTW Apps: 4	TOTW Apps: 2

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