|
|
World Player of the Week: Fabio Quagliarella - Juventus
| World Player of the Week |
 |
|
||||||||||||||||
| Chelsea |
2-2 | Juventus |
| Juventus |
2-0 | Chievo |
If there is one thing which has held Juventus back since the beginning of Antonio Conte's reign, it has been their lack of potency in front of goal, but Fabio Quagliarella proved this week that he is as reliable as they come when the heat is on.
First, he came off the bench with 15 minutes remaining to score the equaliser in the Bianconeri's Champions League return away to champions Chelsea, making an excellent run off John Terry before slotting home from Claudio Marchisio's pass. The 29-year-old almost clinched the winner at Stamford Bridge when he hit the bar with a turn and shot.
Then, on Saturday, he hit a second-half double, including a stunning volleyed opener, to help see off a stubborn Chievo side just as it was starting to appear that Juve's profligacy may cost them once more.
Juventus thus mantained their 100 per cent start to the new Serie A season, extending their unbeaten league run to an astonishing 43 games. If Quagliarella can continue his current form, this run doesn't look like ending any time soon.
| Congratulations to Fabio Quagliarella, Goal.com's 175th World Player of the Week winner! |
Honourable Mention
|
Facundo Ferreyra - Velez Sarsfield Former Banfield striker Facundo 'Chucky' Ferreyra opened his Velez account with a double to sink San Lorenzo. The 21-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Europe before agreeing a move to Liniers, and his performance on Saturday would no doubt have caught the eye of his many admirers |
 |
|
Ali Ahamada - Toulouse The 21-year-old French goalkeeper came to his side's rescue with a 95th minute equaliser against Rennes. With seconds remaining, the ball was launched into the box, and Ahamada showed his agility and power, by putting a diving header past Benoit Costil with his back to goal. |
 |
|
Son Heung-Min - Hamburg Dortmund's fantastic 31-game unbeaten run in the Bundesliga came to a shock end as they were defeated 3-2 by struggling Hamburg. South Korean forward Son was the hero with an impressive double. |
 |
|
Oscar - Chelsea The Brazilian wonderkid truly arrived on the European scene with a stunning performance in the 2-2 Champions League draw with Juventus, scoring a double that included an incredible curling long-range effort. |
 |
|
Marco Verratti - PSG |
 |
On Sunday, we encouraged our readers to nominate their choices for the best player of the week. Here are some of the comments we received:
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets |
|
| Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached! |
|
| Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET! |
|
Related Stories
Inside Goal.Com
-
Real Madrid are better off without Mourinho
The Portuguese's position had become untenable in recent weeks, especially after Friday's debacle in the Copa del Rey. Now he's leaving, but the club can grow stronger without him
-
AVB, Levy & Lewis to thrash out Tottenham plans
After missing out on a place in the Champions League, the north London side are devising a way to keep Gareth Bale at the club and attract new stars to White Hart Lane
-
Bayern's jinx - CL final referee Nicola Rizzoli
Goal takes a look at the career of the Italian arbiter to date following Uefa's decision to appoint the 41-year-old for Saturday's showpiece at Wembley
-
Cartoon: Casillas' birthday wish comes true
Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day
-
Goal's Serie A awards for 2012-13
Goal crowns the best and worst from Italy over the course of the season
"Fabio Quagliarella......silenced his critics by scoring the equaliser against Chelsea and a winning brace against Chievo"
Arton Halili summed up the feelings of many Goal.com readers.
"Quagliarella deserves it. He rescued Juventus in two important games."
Shop of Moonie threw Hamburg hero Son Heung-Min's name into the ring.
"Son Heung-Min of HSV definitely deserves a mention. As HSV claimed their first win of the season, Son was the man to stop BVB's unbeaten run. A 20-year-old boy smashing the formidable BVB is really something special."
Chelsea's new signing Oscar was a popular choice with many users, such as Bazza.
"What a way to announce yourself! Oscar must be player of the week for his two goals against Juventus. The second goal was the greatest thing since the slicing of bread."
Jolen Galea, meanwhile, offered a tear-jerking nomination in the form of Porto captain Lucho Gonzalez.
"Quagliarella had a great week, but my vote goes to Lucho Gonzalez who despite learning that his father had just died, didn't tell his teammates and led out the team in the Champions League against Dinamo Zagreb - scoring the opening goal in the process.