Serie A Team of Week 34: Ilicic Inspires Viola, Padelli Keeps Empoli in Serie A
Week 34 in Serie A saw Juventus secure yet another title—their fourth in a row—with a narrow win over Sampdoria in Genoa.
Fiorentina put a stop to their horrible run with a convincing win over Cesena, while Roma beat beat Genoa to steal a march in the race for second over city rivals Lazio, who drew 1-1 away to Atalanta.
Elsewhere, Cagliari put pitiful Parma to the sword with a 4-0 win at the Stadio Sant'Elia, while a howler from Torino's Daniele Padelli secured Serie A football next season for minnows Empoli. In Naples, Napoli heaped more misery on Milan with a 3-0 win at the San Paolo.
Samir Handanovic, Inter
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Not for the first time this season, Samir Handanovic spared Inter's blushes—this time against Chievo Verona.
The Nerazzurri had far more opportunities to win this fixture, and the Slovenia international had little to do.
As the game neared its conclusion, however, the visitors piled on the pressure. Had it not been for a number of crucial saves from Handanovic—such as when he denied Alberto Paloschi midway through the second half—the Flying Donkeys would have left the San Siro with all three points.
Alessandro Florenzi, Roma
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Alessandro Florenzi's adaptability might yet hinder his career, but there's no doubting the Roman has the ability to affect the game in a number of different positions.
Against Genoa, the 24-year-old was typically energetic and committed. He dominated the entire right flank in both defence and attack and capped a great personal performance by bagging Roma's second, wrapping up the win for the Giallorossi.
Leonardo Bonucci, Juventus
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Juventus had more possession than Sampdoria at Stadio Luigi Ferraris, but the Blucerchiati still managed to fire off 18 shots to Juve's 14.
The Bianconeri defence was as attentive as ever, however, and Leonardo Bonucci was fundamental to the win that secured their fourth successive Scudetto.
Luca Rossettini, Cagliari
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Cagliari continue to confuse. Managers have come and gone—twice, in the case of Zdenek Zeman—and results have often been terrible, but on their day, the Sardinians are capable of looking very impressive.
Luca Rossettini was central to their commanding 4-0 win over Parma, defending excellently and setting up Albin Ekdal for the first goal. The 29-year-old was strong in the air and always ready to cover when the Crociati managed to get forward.
Danilo Avelar, Cagliari
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It might have been against weak opposition, but you can only beat the team in front of you, and Cagliari earned the plaudits by beating Parma so convincingly.
At left back, Danilo Avelar will have pleased manager Gianluca Festa with his hard work on the flank, and he capped it all off by assisting Duje Cop for the Sardinians' third goal.
Borja Valero, Fiorentina
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Fiorentina's classy Borja Valero pulled all the strings against Cesena and won the penalty that Josep Ilicic used to open the scoring.
The Spaniard was a reference point for the Viola in the centre but was involved across the pitch, and his passing was typically pinpoint.
Arturo Vidal, Juventus
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There are few players in European football more influential than Arturo Vidal. The Chilean's goal against Sampdoria wrapped up the Bianconeri's fourth successive Serie A title, but even without the goal, he was easily Juve's most involved player.
The win was cause for plenty of celebration in Turin, and it could well have been the boost that made the difference in their dramatic 2-1 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League just a few days later.
Matias Vecino, Empoli
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It took a horrible goalkeeping error from Torino's Daniele Padelli, but that won't worry Empoli too much—their 1-0 win in Turin mathematically secured top-flight football for the Tuscans next season.
Watching Padelli's error—it can be seen here via the Corriere della Sera—it's hard to know what the 29-year-old was thinking, but the fact a side as small as Empoli can stay in Serie A makes it hard to feel anything but happy for the Azzurri.
In this game, Matias Vecino was their best player, and shortly after Padelli put the ball into his own net, the young Uruguayan almost made it 2-0, only to be denied by the woodwork. Empoli fans will be hoping he stays at the Stadio Carlo Castellani next season.
Marek Hamsik, Napoli
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Marek Hamsik was in inspirational form for Napoli against Milan.
The 27-year-old Slovakian put in a classic captain's performance at the San Paolo, driving his side to a 3-0 win over the Rossoneri by scoring the Partenopei’s opener and then orchestrating the rest of the game with his sublime passing and timely running.
Josip Ilicic, Fiorentina
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Josip Ilicic was in sublime form for Fiorentina against Cesena. The 27-year-old converted a penalty to open the scoring for the Viola and soon followed it up with a goal from open play to turn the screw at the Artemio Franchi.
He made a number of other attempts, and until he was substituted in the 82nd minute, he terrorised the Cavallucci Marini defence with an almost perfect forward's performance. This was a win that Vincenzo Montella sorely needed, as it arrested a worrying run of four league losses.
Paul-Jose M'Poku, Cagliari
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Paul-Jose M'Poku found the back of the net and set up Diego Farias during Cagliari's 4-0 home win against Parma. He was busy across the pitch throughout and thoroughly deserved to be named man of the match by WhoScored.com.
The 23-year-old striker has blown hot and cold this season—like the rest of his team-mates—but when he's on form, he looks like a talented player with a bright future.
The six points separating his team and Atalanta in 17th place will be a relative mountain to climb with so few games remaining, but results such as this should give the Rossoblu some hope of avoiding relegation.
