Serie A Team of Week for Round 10
Serie A has thrown up a number of surprise results in recent weeks to keep the Scudetto race interesting, and Round 10 was no different.
Napoli's brilliant attacking display gave them a 2-0 win over Roma, which helped Juventus, who cruised to a 2-0 win over Empoli, take a three-point lead at the top of the table.
Elsewhere, Palermo upset Milan, Sampdoria returned to form with a 3-1 win over Fiorentina and Genoa scored four goals in their victory over Udinese.
Here is the best XI from the matches played over the weekend, who we're sending out in a 3-4-3 formation.
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon
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The imperial, ageless Gianluigi Buffon operates behind arguably the best defence in Serie A, and it is a testament to his still-impressive skills that he can still produce wonderful saves even after long periods of inactivity in matches.
And so it was against Empoli, who rarely threatened, but created a couple of gilt-edged chances to test out the goalkeeping great.
Buffon was, as usual, up to the task.
He made a fabulous save from Manuel Pucciarelli and then another from Francesco Tavano late in the game to earn himself yet another clean sheet.
Centre-Back: Giovanni Marchese
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His brilliant long-range volley would be enough to get him into the team of the week on its own, but Giovanni Marchese's overall performance against Udinese was worthy of plaudits too.
In a frantic game, he was one of the few players who looked cool as a cucumber throughout.
He was superb in defence and comfortable moving the ball forward.
Centre-Back: Angelo Palombo
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Like Marchese, Sampdoria's Angelo Palombo drew attention to himself with a goal, but he should also be commended for a top-notch defensive performance.
He was calm and collected when distributing from deep and strong aerially and in the challenge against Fiorentina's dangerous attacking players.
Centre-Back: Kalidou Koulibaly
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Roma's attack which looked so unstoppable earlier in the season was fairly easily blunted by Napoli's water-tight defence on Saturday.
Everyone across the back four did well, but Kalidou Koulibaly was exceptional all afternoon.
The Frenchman was impassible at the back and also contributed a great deal in driving the team forward.
He produced one of the best defensive showings Serie A has seen in 2014-15.
Right Wing: Jose Callejon
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The barnstorming start to the season of Napoli's Jose Callejon continued over the weekend, with the wide attacker putting in another stellar performance against Roma.
The Spaniard was frequently involved in his side's dangerous counter-attacks and picked up his just rewards five minutes before the end of regular time.
After a host of Napoli chances went begging, Callejon finally sealed the win with a delightful finish past Morgan De Sanctis.
It was his eighth goal of an already fruitful campaign.
Midfield: Luca Rizzo
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Sampdoria were all over Fiorentina in the middle of the pitch on their way to a 3-1 win, and that was in large part to the energetic display of debutant Luca Rizzo.
On the books of Samp for a number of years, Rizzo remained with the club through a number of loan spells to other Italian outfits.
The 22-year-old's loyalty was finally rewarded with his first-ever start against the team from Florence, and he paid the club back in kind with a goal and overall excellent showing.
Midfield: Marek Hamsik
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Edging out his teammate Lorenzo Insigne in the starting XI is Napoli's playmaker Marek Hamsik.
The Slovakian has long been a highly rated midfielder, but in the early part of the season he appeared somewhat off his game.
His improvement in recent weeks will be pleasing to Napoli fans who are well aware he can almost win football matches on his own.
In the first half especially he was sensational in orchestrating his team's attacks and mesmerising Roma's defenders.
Left Wing: Paolo De Ceglie
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Juventus fans would have been bemused to hear Paolo De Ceglie scored a double and amused that it came against Inter.
The on-loan left-sided midfielder had only ever scored twice in his entire Juventus career spanning over 90 games, so he is not the kind of player you would expect to pop up with a brace.
He did just that for Parma, however, to end Juve's old foes' winning streak at just two games.
He snuck in at the far post to convert a cross from the right for his first goal, before sneaking in to knock home a loose ball in the box for his second after 75 minutes to cap a superb display.
Forward: Gonzalo Higuain
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Napoli's centre-forward is gradually working his way back to his best form, and it's little surprise that the team is benefiting in the results column.
The Argentine No. 9 scored with an athletic overhead volley to put his side ahead in the third minute. It was a goal which allowed the southern club to take control of the game and threaten Roma on the counter-attack.
The 26-year-old now has five Serie A goals this season and looks to be gaining momentum.
Forward: Iago Falque
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Operating as a left-sided forward for Genoa, Iago Falque had much to do with his side's vibrant attacking display.
The 24-year-old Spaniard ran rings around the Udinese defence and scored himself a goal and an assist in Genoa's 4-2 win.
Forward: Paulo Dybala
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Argentine young gun Paulo Dybala is looking more and more comfortable at Serie A level with each match he played.
His energetic runs caused headaches for the Milan defence all game, and he scored a cracking goal in the 26th minute to hand his Palermo side a comfortable 2-0 lead, which they would hang onto until full time.
It was his third goal this season and 11th in Italian football. There will surely be many more to come over the next few years.
