Top 5 Serie A Players of the Weekend

It has been a fantastic weekend of calcio, which has told us a lot about the teams at both ends of the table.

Juventus showed the character of champions by claiming a scrappy 1-0 victory against Catania with Emanuele Giaccherini's injury-time winner.

Napoli proved once again that they are some way off a title, succumbing to Chievo in another blow to their morale. The Partenopei will surely fall short of the scudetto. It's now a matter of whether they can fend off the relentless Milan to finish runner-up.

Speaking of the Rossoneri, Massimiliano Allegri's men claimed a superb victory at the Marassi, dispatching a resurgent Genoa under Davide Ballardini, thanks to goals from Giampaolo Pazzini and Mario Balotelli.

The biggest clash of the week, or perhaps the game with the most at stake, was the relegation tussle between Palermo and Siena at the Renzo Barbera. The Rosanero were left devastated by Siena, who came from behind to basically relegate the Sicilian club and give themselves a lifeline of their own, closing the gap on Genoa to two points.

Here are five players that caught my eye. Tell me who impressed you the most in Serie A this weekend in the comments section below.

Giampaolo Pazzini, Milan

Giampaolo Pazzini has shown great character in recent weeks after Mario Balotelli signed for Milan.

Pazzo was the player most in jeopardy by the arrival of Super Mario, given Massimiliano Allegri's tendency to only play one centre-forward. Despite excellent form in the weeks before Balotelli's arrival, Allegri could hardly be blamed for throwing in the former Manchester City striker immediately.

Balotelli has been excellent, anyway, scoring five goals in five matches, but Pazzini can feel a little aggrieved to have been placed on the bench so soon.

But given Balotelli's ineligibility in the Champions League and an injury in the last few days, Pazzini has played the last two league matches, scoring three times.

Pazzo's goal against Genoa was spectacular, striking Mattia De Sciglio's pull-back sweetly into the top corner, cannoning into the roof of the net after bouncing back up off the cross bar.

With Barcelona to come next week, Allegri understandably substituted the player after he appeared to pick up a knock.

But Milan can be grateful that they have a player with such maturity and mental toughness to be able to produce under intense pressure.

Amauri, Parma

Amauri has been shifted to the sidelines in recent months after the emergence of two excellent attacking talents in Ishak Belfodil and Nicola Sansone.

Give credit to the Brazilian, though. He has grasped his chance to show Roberto Donadoni what he can offer.

Without excellent mobility, Amauri offers more of a reference point to the attack, helping the speedsters move off him and receive and return passes in and around the penalty area.

With a hat trick to snap Parma's eight-game winless streak, Donadoni might just be forced to break up his forward line to accommodate the former Juventus striker.

Victor Ibarbo, Cagliari

Victor Ibarbo is a terrific player in the making. This season, we have finally seen his form on a more consistent basis, and he may yet succeed in Serie A. Pushing Mauricio Pinilla out of the first team is no mean feat.

Ibarbo has offered the Isolani a great deal this season.

The Colombian exhibited pace and power against Sampdoria, dragging defenders out of position and always providing an option in behind when Samp pushed their defence up the pitch.

The only negative to his game this season is the absence of goals. The former Atletico Nacional striker showed a glimpse of how he can produce when he is confident, netting a fine hat trick.

Ivan Pulga's job is now to bring out the goals on a more consistent basis, which would then enable him to boast one of the best partnerships in the league with Marco Sau.

German Denis, Atalanta

German Denis has struggled in recent weeks for form, so Stefano Colantuono drafted in Marko Livaja on loan from Inter in the January window to support the Argentine striker.

El Tanque is now a much more effective forward because he has the support of the Croatian in his vicinity, giving La Dea's attack much more versatility.

When Colantuono plays a trequartista next to Denis, namely Maxi Moralez, their play could become a little predictable.

Denis has been able to help Livaja and vice-versa, which created havoc for Pescara this weekend.

Denis proved what a beast he can be when he is provided service and not isolated. The goals have come flooding back recently, too.

A Denis in this form is one of the league's most dangerous attacking threats. Atalanta instantly have a different dynamic to them moving forward.

Dario Dainelli, Chievo

Dario Dainelli has been one of the most underrated defenders this season. The veteran centre-back has been a huge asset to Eugenio Corini and his unique tactical setup.

Corini has been known to utilise a 5-3-2 often this season, and Dainelli is the regista, the deepest of the trio of centre-backs.

The defence has become watertight, keeping clean sheets against Lazio, at the Olimpico and now against Napoli, the second-best attack in the league, in the 2-0 victory this weekend.

The 33-year-old has to take a lot of credit for the organisation of the back five, often orchestrating who should be tucking inside or moving out to press the space.

Genoa relinquished the player a season ago and Dainelli has made that decision appear baffling with his continued excellence as a Flying Donkey.