Serie A Team of the Week

It has been possibly the best round of calcio this season, so it was a nice way to enter the winter break as it has already left the prospect of the league's return in the new year really exciting.

Juve appear to be too good to even entertain the prospect of a title race, but that does not mean that Serie A is not offering some of the most entertaining football in Europe.

The race for the two remaining Champions League spots is going to be terrifically exciting as Inter, Napoli, Lazio, Fiorentina, Roma, Milan and maybe even Parma or Catania form a large group of clubs all in the mix for that coveted prize.

Here is this week's team of the week. As always, let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Did I leave anybody out? Does anybody else deserve an honourable mention?

Michele Agazzi, Cagliari

Michele Agazzi might have conceded three goals against the champions on Friday, but the fault lies elsewhere as the Cagliari stopper put in a phenomenal performance to bring the Isolani to the brink of a valuable point.

Agazzi's goal was inundated with shots from the Bianconeri, but the 28-year-old stood firm and pulled off one of the saves of the season when he denied Kwadwo Asamoah from close range.

It is just a pity for his sake that Cagliari could not hold onto the 1-1 draw, as Juve grabbed two goals in stoppage time to break their hearts.

Kamil Glik, Torino

Kamil Glik is becoming an integral part to the Toro back four in the absence of the imperious Angelo Ogbonna, who is sidelined with injury.

The Polish international has stepped up since the Azzurri international has been out and is proving to be one of the most improved players in Serie A.

Dominant in the air and physical in the challenge, Glik is a proper defender and you take a shine to him even more when he displays such refreshing honesty.

The opening goal for Torino, a Gennaro Sardo own goal, appeared to go in via Glik's head, but when the camera spanned to the Pole, who appeared to be asked by his teammates whether he scored, the 24-year-old immediately shook his head.

Marquinhos, Roma

Marquinhos is a wonderful story, as Roma stole the 18-year-old away from Corinthians in the summer, despite coming fresh off a Copa Libertadores triumph.

Leandro Castan and Nicolas Burdisso are the experienced centre-backs at the club, but Marquinhos has nailed down a spot in the lineup after several weeks of superb performances.

The red card was extremely harsh, and therefore does not prevent him from making the team of the week, especially after such an assured performance up to that point in a huge match.

Gonzalo Rodriguez, Fiorentina

Gonzalo Rodriguez has been one of Serie A's best players this season.

The Argentine is one of just two outfield players to have played every minute of every game so far and there is a reason for that.

Vincenzo Montella knows his value to the side and he is one of the main reasons for the Viola's return to prominence off the back of such a torrid season.

Dominant at the back and now proving to be a real threat at the other end of the pitch, Rodriguez notched his fifth goal of the season.

Alessio Cerci, Torino

Alessio Cerci has never quite reached his potential. However, after starting at Roma and going through a mixed spell with Fiorentina, it appears as if he has finally found the right club to bring out the best in him, Torino.

Toro feed him the ball plenty of times throughout the game and Giampiero Ventura, unlike the majority of the mangers of Serie A sides, encourages genuine width in his footballing philosophy.

Cerci has a tremendous turn of pace and gave Boukary Drame a torrid time, eventually forcing Eugenio Corini to haul off the Senegalese. Drame's replacement, Bojan Jokic, did not do any better as the 25-year-old ran riot in an impressive win for the Granata.

Daniele De Rossi, Roma

Daniele De Rossi returned to the starting lineup on Saturday in a surprise move by Zdenek Zeman, as Alessandro Florenzi dropped to the bench.

The Azzurri international proved Zeman correct with a sterling display that included one of the most magnificent assists of the season.

The vision of De Rossi to slide Erik Lamela in for his first goal was genius, fooling the entire Milan defence into thinking that he was going to shoot.

Roma will hope that this is the De Rossi that they will get in the new year and that he can help them claim that top-three place.

Jaime Valdes, Parma

Jaime Valdes deserves immense credit for the way that he has transformed himself into a regista under the tutelage of Roberto Donadoni.

The Chilean controls the tempo of the match for Parma and his distribution is exquisite.

Oh, and when he does this, you sit up and take note!

Michael Bradley, Roma

Michael Bradley has adapted to life in Rome brilliantly.

Justifying a somewhat risky move by the Giallorossi for the former Chievo midfielder, the USA international was a warrior against Milan.

Covering an enormous amount of ground and timing every tackle superbly, Bradley is an all-action midfielder that suits the Italian game perfectly.

Stevan Jovetic, Fiorentina

Stevan Jovetic is just a marvellous footballer who lifts Fiorentina from being outsiders for the Champions League to perhaps the front-runners.

The Montenegrin injected some of his magic into the Viola side at Palermo this weekend, drawing several Rosanero players away from his teammates, which is a big mistake.

Jovetic's finishing is deadly, as he showed against Palermo, but he also possesses great vision and creativity to be able to find his teammates.

If he stays fit until the end of the season, Viola are nailed on for a top-three finish.

Ciro Immobile, Genoa

Ciro Immobile was isolated up front for Genoa at Inter on Saturday, as Marco Borriello was frozen out for disciplinary reasons, forcing Luigi Delneri to field a 4-5-1 formation.

Immobile worked his socks off with little reward, until late on, when he burned Andrea Ranocchi for pace and drilled the ball low past Samir Handanovic.

It is performances like this that make you wonder why Genoa are considering shipping out the Azzurrini international in January.

Alessandro Matri, Juventus

Alessandro Matri has found playing time tough to come by of late, but he grabbed his chance with both hands against Cagliari.

As a late substitute, Matri haunted his old team with two clinical finishes that propelled him back into the first-team thoughts of Antonio Conte.