Serie A Team of the Week

Serie A is back, and it did not take long to deliver some enthralling action, with Saturday's matches serving up an early treat for Calcio lovers.

Stevan Jovetic's double ensured that Fiorentina's renaissance started well, while Juventus dispatched Parma at home. While the result was fair, the second goal from Andrea Pirlo was highly dubious, as it was impossible to tell whether the whole ball had crossed the line.

Sunday's matches were not short of entertainment either, as Milan's demise appears to be close to entering a crisis after Sampdoria shocked the Rossoneri, snatching a 1-0 win at the San Siro.

Inter and Napoli both registered 3-0 away victories that will provide them with confidence to challenge Juve for the scudetto.

This is my team of the week; engage in the debate by posting your opinions in the comments section below.

Goalkeeper: Sergio Romero, Sampdoria

Sampdoria defended doggedly at the Giuseppe Meazza on Sunday before stealing all three points with an Andrea Costa header with 30 minutes remaining.

The expected onslaught from Milan arrived, but the Albiceleste international stood firm to deny an equaliser and ensure a perfect start to the season for the Blucerchiati.

Several spectacular saves—in particular, the one to deny a Mario Yepes header from point-blank range—mean that Romero is the outstanding goalkeeper of Week 1.

Centre Back: Michele Canini, Genoa

Michele Canini joined Genoa this summer from Cagliari in a move that left many perplexed. The Grifone did not seem a desirable destination after such a torrid season where they marginally survived relegation and were even humiliated by the Marassi faithful in a home defeat to Siena.

Canini joined nonetheless, and it appears that the Rossoblu, with the 27-year-old in their back line, can safely avoid any danger of relegation this season and aim for a comfortable top-half finish.

The first signs of this were in the 2-0 victory over Canini's former club, Cagliari, where the former Azzurrini international led the defence excellently.

Mauricio Pinilla was kept quiet for the most part, and Luigi De Canio will be delighted that he can rely on this defensive stalwart to martial his back line over the coming weeks. An excellent debut.

Centre Back: Andre Dias, Lazio

Lazio's hopes of challenging for a Champions League place were written off after a rather unproductive summer in the transfer market and the fact that their key players are approaching the end of their careers.

Andre Dias defied those critics on Sunday with a brutish display against Atalanta. The Brazilian is a powerful no-nonsense type of defender who relishes a challenge.

Atalanta's tough, physical striker German Denis, one of the players of last season, was looked after by the former São Paulo player, a major reason behind preventing the Nerazzurri from scoring in a 1-0 victory.

Lazio will hope they can get another great season out of one of Serie A's toughest defenders in their bid to claim a Champions League spot.

Centre Back: Daniele Gastaldello, Sampdoria

Just like Sergio Romero, Gastaldello was a cornerstone in Samp's excellent defensive display at the San Siro on Sunday.

The 29-year-old was calm and composed as the pressure soared as every minute passed.

Ciro Ferrara will be delighted with his captain's display, and know that the former Azzurri international will be key to whether Samp can avoid relegation this season.

Right Midfield: Cristian Maggio, Napoli

This was probably the hardest call this week.

Stephan Lichsteiner deserves an honourable mention, but I just felt that Cristian Maggio was a little more dynamic and provided Napoli with a greater threat on the counter-attack.

His goal was superb too. The Azzurri international cushioned a Marek Hamsik ball perfectly in to his path and rifled home a finish to ensure that the Partenopei took all three points from the Renzo Barbera.

Centre Midfield: Marek Hamsik, Napoli

Marek Hamsik seems to have inherited the role of the departed Ezequiel Lavezzi at Napoli.

The Slovakian is now the heartbeat of Walter Mazzarri's side, if he was not before, providing the inspiration to ensure that others click.

His opening goal was a stunner, a golazo, as he smashed home from just inside the area in to the top corner.

Moreover, a tremendous pass to set Cristian Maggio free for Napoli's second goal capped a man of the match performance.

Defensive Midfield: David Pizarro, Fiorentina

David Pizarro is making the Viola tick, as the Chilean sits deep and operates as a pivot for the side, providing the platform for the more expansive, athletic players to shine.

A wonderful range of short, snappy passes and a quick turn to change the direction of play will give Vincenzo Montella's side the ability to control games.

A wonderful start for Fiorentina on Saturday, beating Udinese 2-1, will further increase the confidence in the camp.

Attacking Midfield: Wesley Sneijder, Internazionale

Wesley Sneijder is back to his best and brimming with confidence.

The Nerazzurri have the same Dutchman that inspired a Champions League victory, which is a huge boost when you consider his form has dipped in the last year or so.

A goal and an instrumental part in the build-up to all of Inter's good work ensures that he makes the team of the week.

Left Midfield: Kwadwo Asamoah, Juventus

Kwadwo Asamoah was forced to start his Juventus career in a wide role (he featured in the middle for Udinese) that appeared to be an awkward position for the Ghanaian.

But the former Udinese star has relished the role handed to him by Massimo Carrera, posing a potent threat with and without the ball.

His best moment against Parma arrived when he delivered the perfect run and cross for Stephan Lichsteiner's goal to break the deadlock.

Not only his attacking work, but his tremendous work rate and determination to help nullify the threat of Jonathan Biabiany earns him a place on this team.

Centre Forward: Pablo Daniel Osvaldo, Roma

Pablo Daniel Osvaldo was unfortunate to not have scored one of the best goals that never was.

The Argentine found sweet justice on Sunday by scoring a similar goal against Catania, which was onside this time.

Osvaldo's play in general was excellent, using the ball intelligently and always providing an option behind the opposition's defence.

Centre Forward: Stevan Jovetic, Fiorentina

You can sense that Fiorentina fans are eternally grateful to have the Montenegrin international at the club still.

Stevan Jovetic has been persistently linked with a move away, but Jojo is a loyal man and has opted to stay in Florence, where he is happy and able to sparkle in a side that is built around him.

Two goals, the second in the dying moments of the match, ensured that the Viola took all three points against a tough Udinese side.

Jack Alexandros Rathborn is a football analyst for Football Radar, covering Italy's Serie A. You can follow him on Twitter; @jackrathborn and @FRcalcioJack.