Serie A Team of the Week for October 4-5
It was an eventful weekend in Serie A. 28 goals ensured plenty of action in a round that also saw a fiery encounter between the league's two top sides, Juventus and Roma.
Francesco Totti bagged his 236th goal in Serie A and the Giallorossi ended Gigi Buffon's run of 832 minutes of league football without conceding, but couldn't do enough to overcome their rivals in Turin. The Bianconeri have now won 22 consecutive home games. Only Massimiliano Allegri's side and plucky Sampdoria remain unbeaten this season.
Inter fell to another crushing defeat, this time at the hands of Fiorentina, who were extremely impressive despite having several injury problems. It was the first time since May 2013 that the Nerazzurri have lost twice in a row, and the fact that they've let in seven goals in just two games will worry Walter Mazzarri—and Inter fans everywhere. Incredibly, it was Vincenzo Montella's first home win with the Viola since they beat Udinese in April.
Rafael
1 of 11
Another stellar display from Hellas Verona's Rafael laid the foundation for his side's 1-0 win against Cagliari.
It was the second game in a row in which the Brazlian was Verona's best player, having made the difference away to Torino in a 0-1 win.
Against Zdenek Zeman's Sardinians—themselves full of confidence after battering Inter 1-4 in Milan the previous week—the 32-year-old goalkeeper denied the visitors' potent attack with a number of key saves.
Nenad Tomovic
2 of 11
A goal and an assist against Inter earns Nenad Tomovic a spot in this team of the week.
The Serbian was brilliant in Fiorentina's 3-0 win over the embattled Nerazzurri, who have now slumped to two heavy league defeats in a row.
Thanks to the win, Vincenzo Montella's Viola climb over Walter Mazzari's Inter into the top half of the table.
Lorenzo Tonelli
3 of 11
Empoli's Lorenzo Tonelli has been the promoted side's best player so far this season, contributing two goals in five appearances at centre-back.
The 24-year-old defender found the back of the net again against Palermo, scoring a header for the Azzurri's second from a corner.
At the other end, Tonelli was efficient with his passing and effective with his tackles.
Credit should also go to his young partner in the middle, Daniele Rugani. The 20-year-old from Lucca—on loan from Juventus—has been impressive so far and has even earned a call-up to the national side with Antonio Conte.
Adil Rami
4 of 11
A surprisingly solid performance defensively from AC Milan at the weekend earns Adil Rami a place on this list.
The Rossoneri actually had very little to do against Chievo Verona for long periods, but the Frenchman was alert to the danger when the Flying Donkeys did muster the odd counter attack, and received a bloody nose for his efforts late on when he blocked a shot from Alberto Paloschi.
This was Pippo Inzaghi's first clean sheet of the season, and Rami earns the credit for Milan's turnaround at the back.
Elsewhere, an in-form Leonardo Bonucci scored the winner against Roma in a heated 3-2 encounter in Turin.
Mario Rui
5 of 11
It was an encouraging weekend for Empoli fans, who saw their side dispatch Palermo 3-0 at home. Staying in Serie A was always going to be a challenge for the Tuscans, but players like Mario Rui have risen to the task and currently they sit comfortably in 12th.
Against the Sicilians, the 23-year-old Portuguese left-back had a flawless game and provided the assist for Massimo Maccarone's opening goal. He also won several free-kicks and was a constant presence at the back and in the final third.
Andrea Bertolacci
6 of 11
Andrea Bertolacci was integral to Genoa's 1-2 win away to Parma, setting up Diego Perotti's opening goal with a well-timed assist, and using his technique, defensive skills and passing ability to cause the Crociati trouble in the midfield all game.
Born in the Italian capital, Bertolacci is a product of Roma's youth system and has been capped for the Italian U21 side. He hasn't quite developed into the star some pundits predicted he would become, but he's still only 23 and is maturing well at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.
Mirko Valdifiori
7 of 11
Mirko Valdifiori had a mixed game in the previous round against Milan, assisting Lorenzo Tonelli for the first goal before being sent off later for two successive fouls.
The 28-year-old central midfielder redeemed himself against Palermo, however, setting up two goals and generally running the game from the centre.
Valdifiori is a talented player, and if he could only improve his poor discipline, Empoli would have a very influential player that they could depend upon.
Antonio Candreva
8 of 11
Antonio Candreva impressed again for Lazio. The 27-year-old Roman recently earned a lucrative new deal with the Aquile, and he's been repaying the faith shown in him by the club with a string of fine performances for Stefano Pioli.
Along with Marco Parolo and Luis Pedro Cavanda, Candreva has been consistently good for Lazio so far this campaign, using his blend of pace, technique and ability to pick a pass to great effect.
Sassuolo put up a fight at the weekend, but Candreva was too good for the Neroverdi and capped a perfect game with a goal and an assist.
Juan Guillermo Cuadrado
9 of 11
Juan Cuadrado was brilliant for Fiorentina against Inter. The versatile Colombian was a constant threat for the Viola and found the back of the net after just 19 minutes to score his side's second. He was assisted by Khouma Babacar, who also impressed.
Lorenzo Insigne
10 of 11
Both Napoli and Lorenzo Insigne have endured a slow start to the season, but against Torino the Naples-born forward was in blistering form.
Insigne got his side back into the game from 0-1 down after 55 minutes, and set up Jose Callejon for the winner with one of a string of dangerous passes he conjured up on Sunday night.
Carlos Tevez
11 of 11
It was Andrea Pirlo's much-awaited return to the Juve fold against Roma, but it was again Carlos Tevez who made the difference for Max Allegri.
Tevez, now 30, has scored six times so far for Juventus, almost half the entire side's tally. But perhaps more impressive than his form in front of goal has been his willingness to work for the team and the impact he's made in deeper positions.
The Argentine scored twice and was the best player in the weekend's marquee game, which unfortunately was as memorable for the appalling refereeing from Gianluca Rocchi as it was for the thrilling football.
