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Serie A Team of the Week Round 35: Cassano returns after long layoff & rejuvenated Sneijder earns debut
Apr 30, 2012 9:00:00 AM
Goal.com picks the best performers from the top flight as the Italy and Netherlands stars feature as we also look back at some midweek displays from the rescheduled Round 33
| Serie A Team Of The Week: Round 35 Table/Results |
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| GOALKEEPER |
Francesco ANTONIOLI
Cesena
TOTW Apps: 1
| The 42-year-old Antonioli was the busiest man on the pitch at San Siro as he kept the Seahorses in the match against Inter with a number of incredible stops. Wesley Sneijder, Giampaolo Pazzini and Andrea Poli were frustrated, and in all likelihood astonished, as the veteran denied them seemingly clear goals and stopped the Nerazzurri from completing a rout. Unfortunately, he still ended up on the losing side as the hosts ran out 2-1 victors. |
| DEFENDERS |
 Stefano LUCCHINI Atalanta TOTW Apps: 1 |
 Matias SILVESTRE Palermo TOTW Apps: 2 |
 Maurizio DOMIZZI Udinese TOTW Apps: 2 |
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| One of the unheralded stars of Atalanta's victory over Fiorentina was Lucchini - the ex-Sampdoria centre-back was a barrier in defence as his side recorded an impressive 2-0 win over the Viola. Meanwhile, Silvestre did well to cope in the Sicilian derby versus Catania. The Rosanero are hardly known for their defence, but the Argentina-born player came to his team-mates' rescue with some crucial interceptions on a few occasions against his former side. Elsewhere, Udinese ensured they remain in the Champions League hunt with a 2-0 win over rivals Lazio and Domizzi was impeccable at the back, while also placing a perfect cross for Antonio Di Natale to slide home the opener. |
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| MIDFIELDERS |
 Emanuele GIACCHERINI Juventus TOTW Apps: 1 |
 Wesley SNEIJDER Inter TOTW Apps: 1 |
 Fredy GUARIN Inter TOTW Apps: 1 |
 Giacomo BONAVENTURA Atalanta TOTW Apps: 1 |
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| Giaccherini was seemingly everywhere for Juventus in their 4-0 victory over Novara. The ex-Cesena star was constantly on the ball, providing width to the Bianconeri's attack and his curling pass allowed Marco Borriello to head home Juve's second while he also played a part in their fourth. Nearly got on the scoresheet himself with a first-time volley. Inter's hopes of qualifying for Champions League football were significantly boosted over the last week by midfield duo Sneijder and Guarin as they propelled Andrea Stramaccioni's side to two straight wins. The Dutchman scored twice in the Nerazzurri's 3-1 win at Udinese on Wednesday, his second goal a sublime touch to loft it over the goalkeeper. Meanwhile, the winter signing from Porto added energy and guile in the centre of the pitch, and grabbed fine assists at both the Friuli and San Siro in the win over Cesena. The final man making his debut in our midfield is Bonaventura, who has certainly benefitted from the sale of Simone Padoin to Juventus. The dynamic midfielder continued to stride forward to great effect and his goal put the result of the clash with Fiorentina beyond doubt. |
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| FORWARDS |
 Antonio CASSANO AC Milan TOTW Apps: 2 |
 Victor IBARBO Cagliari TOTW Apps: 2 |
 Alessandro DIAMANTI Bologna TOTW Apps: 3 |
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| One wonders where AC Milan would be if Cassano had been available all season. The talented playmaker opened the scoring versus Siena before twice setting up strike-partner Zlatan Ibrahimovic for his double in the 4-1 win. His last assist was a true moment of genius, as he spun past two defenders before laying it off for the Sweden international. Ibrarbo earned the tag of 'super sub' in midweek as he came off the bench to explosive effect in Cagliari's 3-0 triumph over Catania. The Colombian burst down the flank to set up his side's second goal before running half the length of the pitch and the striking the ball out of the air to seal the result to help the Isolani move six points clear of the relegation zone. Finally, Diamanti followed up his free-kick equaliser against Siena in midweek with a dazzling display as Bologna heaped further misery on struggling Genoa. The former West Ham star grabbed two assists in the 3-2 victory, one from a fizzing set piece and then a soft touch to set up Gyorgy Garics to tap home later on. |
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