With the season coming to a close on Sunday, it’s time to evaluate the year that was and present you Italian Football Daily’s team of the season.
This is our team of the season compiled by Gregory Caltabanis, Roberto Grosso, Matthew Santangelo, Daniel Russo, Michael Timineri and Alex Mascitti.
GOALKEEPER –
Gianlugi Buffon (Juventus) – How many Serie A team of the seasons has Buffon been a part of since taking the league by storm? Well, add another one. The legendary shot-stopper arguably had one of the best seasons of his career in which he claimed his ninth Scudetto with Juventus. In addition, he was able to break Sebastiano Rossi’s record of most minutes gone without conceding a goal and went 974 minutes without seeing his goal breached. All in all, a great season for the Juventus man.
DEFENDERS –
Andrea Barzagli (Juventus) – La Roccia was immense at the back for Juventus and played a major role in Buffon’s aforementioned record. When the Italian champions were languishing in 12th place it was Barzagli’s calmness and solidity at the back that helped them complete the comeback to first. Barzagli’s good play didn’t go unnoticed by the Juventus management and he was awarded with a contract renewal.
Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus) – Bonucci was Juventus’ best defender in the 2015-2016 season and continued his rise in world football. The former Bari man was particularly solid in the defensive zone and played an integral part in the bianconeri’s buildup play. With Bonucci’s range of passing and impressive vision, Juventus were able to dominate opponents. The defender’s last ditch deflection with his toe in the Napoli-Juventus game epitomizes his season and illustrates just how good he was.
Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli) – Where to begin with Napoli’s Koulibaly? After a rough debut season under Rafa Benitez, the Napoli man really came into his own and established himself as one of the best defenders in the league. Like Bonucci, Koulibaly was crucial to his manager’s plans in regards to building from the back and often highlighted his ball-playing ability. While Higuain got all the headlines in Naples, the defender was just as important in their title charge.
MIDFIELDERS –
Leandro Paredes (Empoli) – The Roma loanee was exceptional for Empoli this season and proved just why the giallorossi are so reluctant to let him go. Under Giampaolo’s tutelage at the club, Paredes emerged as an exciting midfielder on the peninsula highlighting his spatial awareness. In addition, the Argentine’s directness and overall control helped the side maintain possession and truly impose themselves in games.
Radja Nainggolan (Roma) – The 28-year-old had another stellar year for Roma and continued to prove just why he has many suitors from abroad. Despite the side struggling under Rudi Garcia, Nainggolan was a consistent performer for Roma and it could be argued that he was their player of the season. His knack for being in the right place at the right time complimented by his overall tenacity makes Nainggolan a key asset to Luciano Spalletti. His six goals and two assists round off an impressive 2015-2016 season.
Miralem Pjanic (Roma)- The Bosnian international was at the heart of all things for Roma and had the best season of his career scoring 10 goals and registering a further 12 assists, which is good for the league lead. Without Pjanic in the lineup it could be argued that Roma don’t finish in a Champions League spot on the year. With Juventus knocking on the door for him, it remains to be seen whether his future is in giallorosso or bianconero. One thing’s for sure, however: Pjanic is one of the best midfielders in the league and will continue to dominate for years to come.
Paul Pogba (Juvnetus) – Pogba’s 2015-2016 season was a tale of two halves. After an awful start with the #10 jersey, the Frenchman sought answers from Bonucci’s motivator and came back with a “+5” on his jersey bringing him back to his old #6. (1 of the #10 + 5 = 6) Following the “switch” back to his old number 6, Pogba delivered on his hype and single-handedly carried Juve at times. Like Pjanic, the former Manchester United man racked up 12 assists and saw his creativity flourish. In addition, he found the back of the net eight times.
Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli) – The diminutive play-maker finally came good on his promise and had a fantastic season under Maurizio Sarri. Insigne finished the season with 12 goals and 10 assists and formed a frightening trio with Gonzalo Higuain and Jose Callejon at the top of Sarri’s 4-3-3. With the Euros around the corner and Italy crying out for a player to assume the reigns in the final third, expect Insigne to answer the call.
FORWARDS –
Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli) – 36 goals in 35 league appearances. Gunnar Nordahl’s record of 35 goals in the 1949-1950 season broken. Best player in the league in 2015-2016 season and it wasn’t even close. Nothing more has to be said.
Paulo Dybala (Juventus) – The former Palermo man came in with lots of pressure on his shoulders and the burden of an immense price tag and he delivered. His 23 goals in his debut season with the bianconeri means he outscored Carlos Tevez, the man he replaced, in his debut season. Outside of his nice stats, Dybala was Juventus’ true catalyst in the final third and was often their difference maker.
SUBSTITUTES –
Gianlugi Donnarumma (Milan) – The 17-year-old burst onto the scene when Sinisa Mihajlovic gave him the start in his side’s 2-1 win over Sassuolo. Since then Donnarumma has not looked back and has established himself as the rossoneri’s number one keeper. Despite his young age, the keeper looked like a veteran every time he stepped on to the pitch and was fantastic when called upon. A bright spot in an otherwise disappointing campaign for Milan.
Elseid Hysaj (Napoli)- After coming over from Empoli, the Albanian slotted right into Napoli’s back four and for the first time in years, the partenopei had stability down the right hand side of defense. Had Bonucci not gotten a toe on his cross to Higuain, the former Empoli man may now have the assist on the Scudetto-winning goal. Scudetto or not, however, Hysaj had a great year and looks to have a bright future.
Sime Vrsaljko (Sassuolo)- The Croatian international had yet another solid season with Sassuolo and combined nicely with Domenico Berardi down the right hand side. In addition to marauding the flank, not many got past Vrsaljko throughout the season. When considering his four assists and his 80% pass completion rate on the season, it highlights just how good the 24-year-old was. Move to a big club on the horizon? Definitely.
Jorginho (Napoli) – The Italian international had the best season of his young career and flourished in a deeper role in a midfield three. Jorginho dominated the proceedings in the middle of the park pulling all the right strings for Napoli. The former Hellas Verona man finished the season with the highest pass completion rate (90.9%) and completed the most passes per game of any player with 102.6. Just to put things into perspective: His Napoli teammate Marek Hamsik came second in that regard with 79.3.
Franco Vázquez (Palermo)- It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Vázquez along with Stefano Sorrentino single-handedly kept Palermo up this season. His eight goals and seven assists on the season were crucial in the rosanero’s survival bout and will undoubtedly attract the interest from some of Serie A’s top dogs. Despite his good season, Antonio Conte still didn’t reward him with a call-up.
Leonardo Pavoletti (Genoa) – The Genoa man was truly the surprise of the season as he found the back of the net with regularity. Even though he missed a stretch of games due to injury, Pavoletti was still able to muster 14 goals in 22 appearances. His form and overall play were good enough to catch the attention of Conte and he now has a shot of going to the Euros in a month’s time.
Carlos Bacca (Milan) – Coming over from Sevilla, the expectations surrounding Carlos Bacca were high. The lack of service from the midfield continued to be a problem for Milan but Bacca nonetheless recorded a respectable tally. In his 38 appearances for the rossoneri this season, the Colombian international scored 18 times and registered two assists. While his linkup play wasn’t always the best, Bacca was a major reason Milan weren’t lower in the table. A good debut season from the veteran striker.
Manager –
Massimiliano Allegri (Juventus) – Despite the slow start, Allegri turned Juventus’ year around and mounted one of the best comebacks in Serie A history. With the former Milan boss at the helm, the Juventus players believed in the Scudetto even when they were in 12th place. Moreover, his tactics down the stretch were spot on shifting from a back three to four.
Honorable mentions – Marco Sportiello, Francesco Acerbi, Claudio Marchisio, Riccardo Saponara, Sami Khedira, Alejandro Gomez, Andrea Belotti, Mauro Icardi and Massimo Maccarone, Marco Giampaolo and Maurizio Sarri.
Have your say – If you don’t agree with the eleven and reserves, let us know @ItalianFD.
The post Serie A Team Of The Season: 2015-2016 Season appeared first on IFD.
from IFD http://ift.tt/2066WZJ
via IFTTT berita selengkapnya Follow @jadwalliga
