Serie A Team of Week 22: Verde Stars for Roma as Diamanti Fires Fiorentina
Week 22 finally saw Roma get back to their winning ways against Cagliari, while title favourites Juventus dispatched AC Milan comfortably in Turin.
Fiorentina bounced back against Atalanta to keep their European hopes alive, while Inter also showed signs of life against this season's surprise package, Palermo.
Read on to see who made it into this week's best XI.
GK: Andrea Consigli, Sassuolo
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Sassuolo's Andrea Consigli isn't the most well-known Italian goalkeeper, but the 28-year-old is a generally solid performer for the Neroverdi.
His stats are never going to be too eye-catching, and he will concede, but it's hard to expect much more of a stopper at a small club operating with finite resources and a limited squad.
Consigli might have reacted quicker on Sampdoria's goal this week, but were it not for the Milan native, Eusebio Di Francesco's side could easily have gone further behind.
RB: Davide Santon, Inter
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Davide Santon isn't quite the answer to Inter's prayers that their fans are hoping for, but the Nerazzurri youth product, who has returned home, certainly showed how effective he can be against Palermo.
The 24-year-old from Portamaggiore linked well with Fredy Guarin in front of him on the right flank and managed to control the threat from the Sicilians.
It wasn't a show-stealing performance, but right now, manager Roberto Mancini needs more players who can play effective supporting roles. He'll be delighted that Santon has settled back into life in Serie A so quickly.
CB: Leonardo Bonucci, Juventus
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This could have easily been Giorgio Chiellini, because against Milan, it was a typically collective performance from Juventus.
The defence was as solid as you'd expect from a side who've been champions three times in a row, and it's no surprise that this lineup is still the most obvious for the Italian national side.
Centre-back Leonardo Bonucci gets the nod ahead of his captain because he got on the scoresheet, but his place here this week is a vote for the solidity of the Juve defence in general.
CB: Jose Basanta, Fiorentina
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This was the best performance of the season from the Argentinian Jose Basanta. The 30-year-old opened up the scoring for Fiorentina against Atalanta and defended well against the Orobici, even if the visitors did score twice.
LB: Faouzi Ghoulam, Napoli
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Dries Mertens enjoyed a staring role for Napoli on the left flank against Udinese, but he'll be thankful for his full-back Faouzi Ghoulam.
The 24-year-old Algerian was solid rather than spectacular, but he set up a solid base from which Mertens could excel, and manager Rafa Benitez will be hoping that the pair can be similarly dominant on the flank in future.
MID: Seydou Keita, Roma
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Signing the veteran midfielder Seydou Keita contradicted Roma's recent youthful recruitment policy, but the Malian has proved on several occasions that he was a solid addition to manager Rudi Garcia's squad.
Against Cagliari, the 35-year-old former Barcelona star showed that age isn't everything, and he ran the midfield well in the absence of Daniele De Rossi. He was also instrumental in unleashing the surprisingly effective Daniele Verde.
MID: Matias Fernandez, Fiorentina
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If Matias Fernandez was more consistent, we'd be talking about a top-class player. As is, the Chilean is a potentially devastating attacking talent who can completely change a game.
He did just that against Atalanta, assisting on two goals and simultaneously raising the question: Why haven't we seen him play like this since December?
MID: Fredy Guarin, Inter
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Like Santon, midfielder Fredy Guarin is unlikely to grab the headlines in Inter's renaissance, but the Colombian's work rate and energy will be fundamental to any turnaround at the San Siro.
The 28-year-old looks reborn in recent weeks, and he opened the scoring with an impressive header against Palermo. After that, his work rate and selflessness made him a regular threat, and he set up striker Mauro Icardi for the Nerazzurri's third and final goal.
MID: Alessandro Diamanti, Fiorentina
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It's too early to say whether re-signing midfielder Alessandro Diamanti was a good idea for Fiorentina. The well-travelled Italian hasn't really settled anywhere in the past, and Viola fans will wonder if it's possible for him to really knuckle down and commit at 31 years of age.
That said, he was far and away the best player for manager Vincenzo Montella's side against Atalanta, and it really did look like the wayward Azzurri was keen on making an impression on Serie A. Watch this space.
FW: Daniele Verde, Roma
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Was Cagliari a flash in the pan or a sign of things to come from Daniele Verde? The Roma youngster was the best player on the pitch in Sardinia, using his pace and technique to full effect against the opposition defence.
The Naples native, still just 18, set up both Giallorossi goals, and the first assist, in particular, was a thing of beauty.
Garcia might have been forced into playing the teenager because of injuries and suspensions, but after a performance like this, his name must now be on the Frenchman's mind for the rest of the season.
FW: Alvaro Morata, Juventus
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Alvaro Morata's work rate set him apart against AC Milan. The Spaniard resembled a young Carlos Tevez at times, harrying defenders and using his pace and skill to pose a constant threat.
It must have been tempting for manager Max Allegri to use Fernando Llorente's aerial ability against such a weak Rossoneri defence, but instead, he chose the 22-year-old Morata for a rare start and was repaid with a goal and an assist from the ex-Real Madrid forward.
