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Serie A Team of the Season

Now let’s take one last look back at the 07/08 campaign before we move on to the next exciting Serie A season. Here I will be selecting my eleven best players based on last season’s Serie A. I have chosen to use a 4-3-3 system.

Goalkeeper – Sebastien Frey (Fiorentina)
As usual there have been some outstanding performances in the Italian top tier by some of the world’s greatest goalkeepers. There were three which stood out above the rest – Gigi Buffon, Julio Cesar and Sebastien Frey. The latter has been consistently better than the other two, as Fiorentina’s attacking style of play has meant he has had to always be on his game, always be ready. While Juve and Inter both had successful seasons, Frey didn’t have the same solid defence in front of him, and with some match-winning saves to push Fiorentina to a Champions League spot above AC Milan, their first since the late 90s.

Right-Back – Maicon (Internazionale)

This decision was just as difficult. The outsider was Christian Maggo, whose displays for Sampdoria have been consistently excellent, earning himself a transfer to Napoli this summer. Two players from Internazionale, Maicon and Javier Zannetti the captain have both had outstanding seasons, especially attacking. However Maicon has established himself as the first choice right-back for the champions while Zannetti has moved into a more central role. Therefore Maicon, as one of the best full-backs in the world, is my right-back.

Centre-Back – Philipe Mexes (AS Roma)
This one was without question. Mexes has proven himself as one of the world’s best, and arguably the strongest defender in Italy last season, leading Roma to a second place finish closely behind Inter. He also has excellent technical skill, and has quietly developed into Roma’s rock following the departure of Christian Chivu last summer.

Centre-Back – Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus)

There were a lot of candidates for this position. Ivan Corboda at Inter looked to have secured his place in this team with solid performances until he was injured. Following his injury Inter kept just one clean sheet in their next eight games and almost threw away their 11 point lead over Roma. Then there was Paulo Cannavaro, younger brother of Fabio, whose defensive performances led Napoli to a top half finish and an Intertoto Cup spot. But Giorgio Chiellini has been magnificent since his switch to centre-back from left-back and has cemented his place in the national side. He is considered the next Fabio Cannavaro, and at only 23, is looking it.

Left-Back – Juan Manuel Vargas (Catania)

Chiellini could quite easily have fit into this position, but Vargas has had a terrific last season for Catania, especially going forward. His long-range strike is one of the best around, having scored five goals this season. Vargas has been compared by the club’s fans to Roberto Carlos for his rampaging runs down the left wing and a lethal left foot. A move to a big club is imminent.

Defensive-Midfielder – Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma)

Despite a poor disciplinary record, the 25 year-old has come into his own this season; his strong tackling, brilliant range of passing, and venomous long-range shot make him one of the best all-round midfielders around. He is playing for his hometown team and is one of the favourites to take over the captaincy from Francesco Totti. Despite his young age, he has already captained Italy in friendlies against South Africa and Portugal.

Defensive-Midfielder – Javier Zannetti (Internazionale)

While Cambiasso had another tireless season and held together the midfield, his partner Javier Zannetti was even better as captain. He was the most consistent player for Inter over the 07/08 season, and in fact his whole career, and Il Trattore remains a fans favourite. There is an element of class in everything he does both on and off the field, and he once again deserves his place in the team of the season.

Central-Midfielder – Marek Hamsik (Napoli)

At only 20 years of age, Marek Hamsik has had a breathtaking season, from which he has attracted the attention of most of Europe’s top clubs including Inter, Juve, Barcelona, Chelsea and Lyon. He has been a key player in Napoli’s rise up the table, finishing as top scorer for the side. He has been labelled the new Pavel Nedved who he idolises, and Napoli will have a tough time keeping hold of him this summer.

Forward – Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus)

In his best season since 1997/98, Alessandro Del Piero has once again proved the critics wrong by scoring 21 goals in 32 starts, finishing as top scorer in Serie A. The 33 year-old has also shown leadership and creativity as well has his goal-scoring instinct and he undoubtedly earns a place in this eleven.

Forward – Adrian Mutu (Fiorentina)

Sebastian Giovinco was a revelation on loan to Empoli, as was Alexandre Pato at Milan. Trezuguet and Ibrahimovic have both continued their phenomenal goalscoring form, but I have left them all out for Adrian Mutu. Following the departure of Luca Toni to Bayern Munich, Adrian Mutu has had to do it all on his own, spearheading the Fiorentina attack, and now spearheading this team’s attack. He has scored 17 goals in 26 games for La Viola in Serie A, and 6 in 8 in the UEFA Cup.

Forward – Antonio Di Natale (Udinese)

Keeping out Borreilio on loan to Genoa from AC Milan, Di Natale has captained Udinese to a UEFA Cup spot and scored 17 goals in the process. He is fast, brave, and imaginative, and has shown his versatility by playing both as a striker and on the wings, dropping deep and scoring freely. He is now a regular for the Azzuri, and the 30 year-old is no doubt going to play a big part in the near future of Italian football.

Final Team: