Serie A Team of Week 31: Bonucci and Tevez Stop Lazio, Dybala Drives Palermo
Lazio stay ahead of city rivals Roma on goal difference despite losing to Juventus at the weekend. The Giallorossi stumbled to a lacklustre 1-1 draw at home to struggling Atalanta, and on current form, now look under threat from Napoli in fourth place.
The Partenopei were excellent against Cagliari, cruising to an easy 3-0 victory in Sardinia—a result that caused Zdenek Zeman to quit, just weeks after being reinstated on the Rossoblu bench.
Elsewhere, Palermo impressed at home to Genoa while Sampdoria continued their watertight home form against Cesena.
Andrea Consigli, Sassuolo
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Sassuolo could only manage a draw at home to Torino at the weekend, but the result could have been worse if Andrea Consigli hadn't been at top form in goal.
Penalties from Domenico Berardi and Fabio Quagliarella gave each side a goal, but from open play it was Toro who had most of the momentum and attacking threat.
Giampiero Ventura's side totalled 21 shots to the Neroverdi's nine, but a string of saves from Consigli kept his side in the fixture. It was no surprise that several outlets had him as the man of the match, including stats site WhoScored.com.
Lorenzo De Silvestri, Sampdoria
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Impressively, Sampdoria remain unbeaten at home in all competitions this season, and full-back Lorenzo De Silvestri has played an important role in that achievement.
The 26-year-old was typically strong in the air and reliable at the back for Samp against Cesena, helping his teammates in the back line to extend their spotless form to 343 minutes without conceding.
Sinisa Mihajlovic’s side have gone off the boil up front, and if they continue like this, they'll struggle to hold off Fiorentina for the final European qualification spot. However, the Blucerchiati certainly can't blame their defenders for any dropped points.
Leonardo Bonucci, Juventus
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Leonardo Bonucci scored his third goal of the season to double Juventus' lead over Lazio at the weekend, putting the icing on the cake of a characteristically strong defensive display.
Going into this game, the Aquile boasted the most impressive attacking statistics in the league and lead Serie A in goals scored, but Bonucci and the Bianconeri put a stop to that, as Stefano Pioli's men were held goalless for the first time since early February.
Alessio Romagnoli, Sampdoria
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Another key factor in Sampdoria's defensive strength has been the emergence of Alessio Romagnoli as one of the league's best young centre-backs.
The 20-year-old from Anzio is on loan from Roma, and while the Giallorossi have a deep roster of defenders on current form, Romagnoli should expect to return to the capital and be able to compete for a starting place in 2015-16.
Against Cesena, he defended well and often showed his confidence on the ball and his passing ability by starting his side's forward movement from the back.
Juan Jesus, Inter
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Inter's Juan Jesus was one of the few bright spots in a very dour Milan derby at the weekend. The 23-year-old Brazilian was imperious on the left and heavily involved in all phases of the game.
His form has been inconsistent this season, but Roberto Mancini should be pleased to see Jesus follow up his excellent display against Hellas Verona in Round 30 with another quality shift.
Ivaylo Chochev, Palermo
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Palermo's Ivaylo Chochev makes his second straight appearance in the Team of the Week thanks to another brilliant showing against Genoa.
The 22-year-old Bulgarian has looked like a totally different player in recent weeks. He managed to net a brace against the Grifone to cap a generally flawless shift that included some important tackles to protect his defence.
Arturo Vidal, Juventus
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It wasn't vintage Arturo Vidal against Lazio, but even at 90 percent he's one of the most impressive midfielders currently playing.
The Chilean's committed, energetic style ran the Aquile ragged in the centre of the park, and his headed assist for Carlos Tevez's goal was a difficult play made to look simple.
Marek Hamsik, Napoli
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It was a captain's performance from Marek Hamsik at the weekend. The Slovakian orchestrated the Partenopei's attacks perfectly and set up Jose Callejon's opener with a lovely through ball. He also linked well with Gonzalo Higuain throughout.
Jose Callejon, Napoli
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After 23 minutes of play in Sardinia, Napoli's Jose Callejon split the Cagliari defence wide-open with a clever run to beat the offside trap, collect Hamsik's through ball and slot home.
That contribution alone might have been enough to keep his manager happy, but moments later he was the hero at the other end of the pitch, making a dramatic, last-man sliding tackle to dispossess Paul-Jose M'Poku, who was through on goal. You couldn't ask for much more from a winger.
Paulo Dybala, Palermo
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Palermo's Paulo Dybala might have been outshone by his teammate Chochev against Genoa, but the young Argentine was still irresistibly entertaining at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.
The 21-year-old didn't get on the scoresheet, but he was the Rosanero's creative fulcrum—and he very nearly opened the scoring after just 19 seconds by catching Genoa keeper Eugenio Lamanna off guard.
Dybala later hit the woodwork and was heavily involved in both of Chochev's goals—his hold-up play for the second was particularly impressive. For anyone with a couple of minutes to spare, it's worth watching the highlights. They can be found here, via the Corriere della Sera.
Carlos Tevez, Juventus
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Carlos Tevez scored after just 16 minutes against Lazio—he finished Vidal's headed assist with typical ease—and then spent the next 74 running himself into the ground looking for another goal.
It was the Argentine's 18th Serie A goal of the season and his 26th in total. In the league, that's just one off the personal best he set last year, but with seven games still to play this year.
Reports continue to link the 31-year-old with a move to Boca Juniors this summer, although the player continues to deny wanting to leave, as reported by ESPNFC.com. If he does say goodbye to Turin, Juve will have a tough time replacing him.
