Serie A Team of the Week: Round 15 - Buffon's penalty save earns Juventus a draw at Roma & clinical Klose strikes twice for Lazio

Goal.com picks the best performers from Italy's top flight as the Italy custodian denied Francesco Totti from the penalty spot and the former Bayern man's goals edged Lecce

Dec 13, 2011 8:35:00 AM

More On :  Bologna, Catania, FC Internazionale, Genoa, Juventus, Lazio, Roma, Udinese
Serie A

Team Of The Week:

Round 15

Table/Results

GOALKEEPER

Gianluigi BUFFON
Juventus
TOTW Apps: 1
Only beaten due to Arturo Vidal's failed clearance on the line, Buffon continues to show signs he is back to his best. The Italy captain was always safe between the posts at the Stadio Olimpico and expertly saved Francesco Totti's spot-kick to keep the Bianconeri's unbeaten status this season intact.
DEFENDERS

LUCIO
Inter
TOTW Apps: 1
  Daniele DE ROSSI  
  Roma 
  TOTW Apps: 3 



Nicola LEGROTTAGLIE
Catania
TOTW Apps: 2
Inter nullified any attacking threat posed by Fiorentina in a straight-forward 2-0 win with Lucio playing a starring role, keeping Alberto Gilardino firmly in check. A short-handed Roma squad saw De Rossi slot in at centre-back as the 28-year-old read Juventus' attacks superbly, proving to be too much of a challenge for opponent Alessandro Matri on several occasions, while also chipping in with an early goal in the 1-1 draw. Similarly, Legrottaglie's experience was evident against Atalanta as his header opened the scoring, but he also was impeccable at the back to help his side earn a point in Bergamo.

MIDFIELDERS

Mauricio ISLA
Udinese
TOTW Apps: 2
Sergio ALMIRON
Catania
TOTW Apps: 2
Alexander MERKEL
Genoa
TOTW Apps: 1
Philippe COUTINHO
Inter
TOTW Apps: 1
Isla is back in our best XI for a second week running after a trademark energetic, intelligent performance against Chievo, one of his surging runs forward leading to Di Natale's opener. Almiron pulled the strings and dictated play in midfield for Catania, while young Merkel was a crucial part in both of Genoa's goals at Siena, including a spectacular through ball to send Rodrigo Palacio on a breakaway that ended the match as a contest late on. Wesley Sneijder continues to be absent for the Nerazzurri, but Coutinho provided the creativity in Saturday's victory, combining well with Pazzini in the lead up to the two goals by Claudio Ranieri's side.

FORWARDS

Marco DI VAIO
Bologna
TOTW Apps: 1
Miroslav KLOSE
Lazio
TOTW Apps: 4
Antonio DI NATALE
Udinese
TOTW Apps: 4
Three veterans who have scored goals throughout their careers make up the attack this week. Firstly, Di Vaio's movement caused AC Milan's backline plenty of problems, with the highlight being when he burst beyond their defence and chipped onrushing goalkeeper Marco Amelia from well out with a superb touch. Strikes from Klose continue to pave the way for title-chasing Lazio after the German's brace, including a late glancing header, resulted in a 3-2 victory at lowly Lecce.

Finally, Udinese sit on 30 points at the summit of the Serie A table with Juventus and it was of little surprise that Di Natale proved to be their inspiration, grabbing a goal and assist in the 2-1 triumph over the Flying Donkeys.



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