Serie A Team of the Week: Perfect Palacio triggers Inter turnaround

Mar 4, 2013 12:30:00 PM

Goal.com runs through the best performers from the latest action in Italy's top flight

There were 10 more fascinating fixtures in Serie A this weekend, with the business looming, trophies and careers on the line, and plenty of star performers rose to the task. The latest Goal.com Team of the Week includes some true heroes.

Maarten Stekelenburg was little more than used goods a few weeks ago, but since his return to the Roma side he has proven his class, and his performance on Sunday helped the Giallorossi overcome an adventurous Genoa side to record a third straight win.

Palermo may well have drawn yet again, but it could have been worse had Santiago Garcia not kept a tight rein on Alessio Cerci during their scoreless clash with Torino. Meanwhile, Roma gave a full debut to Alessio Romagnoli, who responded with a quality defensive shift and a crucial goal in the success over Genoa. Juventus' defensive rock was Giorgio Chiellini, who enjoyed a magnificent tussle with Edinson Cavani throughout the 1-1 draw with Napoli, and he even managed to mark his return with a goal.

Atalanta look all but safe after collecting three precious points from the trip to struggling Siena thanks to a double from Giacomo Bonaventura, while the artistry of Andrea Pirlo was again key to Juventus picking up a point from the trip to Napoli. Esteban Cambiasso was one of two Inter super-subs in Catania, as his composure late on helped the Nerazzurri to a magnificent comeback win. Elsewhere, Borja Valero was busy pulling the strings as ever in Fiorentina's 2-1 win over Chievo.

Francesco Totti's assault on the record books continued with his 225th Serie A goal, a penalty in Roma's win over Genoa, and Giampaolo Pazzini's double for Milan ensured that the Giallorossi's city rivals Lazio got nothing out of their trip north. But the star of the weekend was undoubtedly Rodrigo Palacio, who came off the bench at half-time to return a punch-drunk Inter to their feet in some style, grabbing an assist, an equaliser and a crucial late winner to leave Catania's heads spinning.

STEKELENBURG

ROMA

vs Genoa (H)

Rating:

TOTW Apps: 2

GARCIA	ROMAGNOLI	CHIELLINI

PALERMO	ROMA	Juventus
vs Torino (A)	vs Genoa (H)	vs Napoli (A)
Rating:	Rating:	Rating:
TOTW Apps: 1	TOTW Apps: 1	TOTW Apps: 2

BONAVENTURA	PIRLO	CAMBIASSO	BORJA VALERO

ATALANTA	JUVENTUS	INTER	FIORENTINA
vs Siena (A)	vs Napoli (A)	vs Catania (A)	vs Chievo (H)
Rating:	Rating:	Rating:	Rating:
TOTW Apps: 2	TOTW Apps: 4	TOTW Apps: 4	TOTW Apps: 4

TOTTI	PAZZINI	PALACIO

ROMA	MILAN	INTER
vs Genoa (H)	vs Lazio (H)	vs Catania (A)
Rating:	Rating:	Rating:
TOTW Apps: 7	TOTW Apps: 3	TOTW Apps: 2

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