Serie A supporters were settling in for one of the most enthralling title races in recent memory, with Juventus, Lazio and Inter Milan all in the mix for winning the Scudetto. While the Bianconeri are top of the table with 63 points, Lazio are just a point behind while Inter are third with 54 points, having played a game less.
At the other end of the table, Lecce, SPAL and Brescia occupy the three relegation spots. Without further ado, let’s straight get into our Serie A Team of the Season.
Goalkeeper: Wojciech Szczesny (Juventus)
Wojciech Szczesny has silenced all his critics in his last two seasons as Juventus‘ number one between the sticks. The former Arsenal man, who was criticised for being mediocre during his time at the Emirates, has turned his career around at the Allianz Stadium.
The 29-year-old is at his peak and is considered one of the most reliable shot-stoppers around. This season he has made 19 appearances in Serie A and has kept eight clean sheets.
Right-back: Juan Cuadrado (Juventus)
Juan Cuadrado is one of the most curious cases in Juventus’ star-studded line-up. The Colombian, who is primarily a winger, was deployed as a right-back by ex-manager Massimiliano Allegri, Maurizio Sarri continuing the trend.
To everyone’s surprise, he has transformed himself into a rock-steady full-back. Cuadrado has rarely been caught out defensively, and his experience as a winger helps him to be a regular threat going forward. In 23 Serie A appearances so far this season, he has scored once and assisted twice, besides providing stability to his side’s defence.
Centre-back: Francesco Acerbi (Lazio)
Francesco Acerbi has gone from strength to strength since his move to Lazio from Sassuolo in 2018. He has been a mainstay in the Italian national team too, following his impressive performances for Lazio.
The 32-year-old has been a calming presence in a previously hapless defence. Moreover, Acerbi has helped turn Lazio’s rearguard into one of the tightest and most impenetrable in Italy. In 24 appearances so far this season, the defender has helped his side keep eight clean sheets, while also chipping in with two goals.
Centre-back: Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan)
The Dutchman, who joined Inter from Lazio on a free transfer in the summer of 2018, is one of the most underrated defenders in the world.
Stefan de Vrij has eclipsed his more high-profile partners – Diego Godin and Milan Skriniar with his impressive performances this season. The 28-year-old has shown outstanding maturity and has been one of the pillars of Inter’s fine title-chasing campaign before the league was suspended. In 23 appearances so far this season, De Vrij has helped keep seven clean sheets and scored twice.
Left-back: Robin Gosens (Atlanta)
Robin Gosens is one of the best attacking left wing-backs in the world at the moment. He has improved drastically since joining Atalanta in 2017.
Gosens had to be patient as he was left battling with Hans Hateboer and Timothy Castagne for a regular starting berth in a team full of attacking talent at every position. This season, he has fully established himself as the first-choice left wing-back for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side.
With seven goals and five assists in Serie A in 22 games so far, Gosens is attracting plenty of interest from clubs across Europe. He is one of the players who have contributed to Atlanta’s impressive performances in Italy and in Champions League this season.
Defensive midfielder: Radja Nainggolan (Cagliari)
Radja Nainggolan is enjoying his football once again after a disastrous spell with Inter Milan. He shocked the footballing world when he decided to move to a mid-table team like Cagliari.
However, the Belgian, who is comfortable playing either as a central midfielder or a defensive midfielder, is back at his devastating best as the captain Cagliari. The 32-year-old combative midfielder has scored five goals and provided six assists in 21 Serie A appearances this season.
Central Midfielder: Luis Alberto (Lazio)
Luis Alberto has been excelling in the Italian capital since making his move from Liverpool in 2016. The 27-year-old has struck up a formidable partnership with Ciro Immobile upfront and is seen running the midfield more often than not with Sergej-Milinkovic Savic and Lucas Leiva.
The former Liverpool man has scored four goals and provided 13 assists already this season. He is one of the main reasons behind Lazio’s resurgence as they look to end Juventus’ domestic dominance.
Central midfielder: Lorenzo Pellegrini (AS Roma)
Lorenzo Pellegrini’s entry might come as a surprise, given Domenico Berardi’s form this season. Pellegrini might not be as prolific as the Sassuolo man but his talent in the creative department is undeniable and he definitely has made an impact for Roma this season in their quest for Champions League qualification.
He has scored just one goal this season, however, he ranks third with eight assists from just 18 appearances and only Luis Alberto betters his 2.9 key passes per game.
Left-wing: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Cristiano Ronaldo has set a standard which might not be met by other players in the foreseeable future. At the age of 35 and into his second season in Italian football, he started the campaign slowly but became lethal since the turn of the year.
He began with a hat-trick and assist against Cagliari and went on a run that has seen him score 11 times in the last eight Serie A matches to take his tally for the season to 21. He has also provided three assists.
Right-Wing: Josip Ilicic (Atlanta)
32-year-old Josip Ilicic has defied all odds this season and emerged as a favourite for the Serie A Player of the Season award, despite Ciro Immobile and Cristiano Ronaldo scoring for fun.
He glides past challenges elegantly before finding his teammates with pin-point passes without breaking a sweat. With 15 goals, five assists and 2.5 key passes per game, the gifted Slovenian has been in sublime form this term. It seems the ex-Fiorentina forward is ageing like fine wine.
Striker: Ciro Immobile (Lazio)
Ciro Immobile is the runaway top goalscorer (27) in Serie A this season, so his inclusion was a foregone conclusion.
The Italian, who also has seven assists to his name, has been the perfect marksman for Lazio, with the Rome-based club stacked with attacking talents in midfield.
With 12 games to go, he can definitely break the record for the most goals scored in a single Serie A season (36) and lead Lazio to their first title in 20 years.
Here’s how Serie A Team of the Season would line up:
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