Serie A 2011/12: Top 20 Most Deadly Strikers Vying for Calcio's Capocannoniere

Serie A is notorious for being the most difficult league in Europe for strikers to score goals.

The defences are meticulous in their approach to stopping the opposition's leading marksman.

This means that longevity in the league is even tougher for strikers in the league.

Here are 20 strikers who have thrived in this environment to prove they are not only the best in Serie A but the best among Europe.

20. Adrian Mutu, Cesena & Romania

Adrian Mutu has been a prolific scorer in Serie A throughout his career after moving to Parma from Inter he began to get game time and the results were a breakout season in 2002/03 with 18 goals that persuaded Chelsea to bid €22.5m for his services.

Despite a promising start to his career with the Blues with four goals in his first three games, it seemed the bright lights of London got the better of him and he landed himself in trouble when he failed a drugs test and was promptly sacked.

Since then the Romanian has rebuilt his career back where he initially developed his reputation as a serial goal scorer.

A short spell with Juventus led to a move to Fiorentina where he fired in 50 goals in 92 games before failing a second drug test and a rather poor final season as relations were strained with the club.

A move away was best for all and now Mutu has landed at Serie A minnows Cesena where he aims to fire the goals to keep them from relegation.

Currently sitting 20th in the table, Cesena have played much better than the return of three points would suggest and a purple patch from Mutu should give them a puncher's chance of survival.

19. Mirko Vucinic, Juventus & Montenegro

Mirko Vucinic has been a prolific scorer in Serie A whilst with Roma and is now with Juventus.

He scored 45 goals in 145 games for the Giallorossi which is deceiving given his predominantly wide left role throughout his time in Rome.

It was enough to persuade the Bianconeri to part with €15 million and despite a slow start the Montenegrin has score twice already with a crucial goal in the away win over Inter Milan.

Undoubtedly more goals will follow, as it is evidently clear that Antonio Conte sees Vucinic as an integral part to the side whether it will be out wide whilst Alessandro Matri is on form or in a more central role if Juve line up with a 4-4-2, Vucinic should start most weeks. 

18. Marco Di Vaio, Bologna

Marco Di Vaio is a terrific striker that has scored a remarkable amount of goals throughout his career across Italy and also in Spain with Valencia and France with Monaco.

Di Vaio is something of a renaissance man after moving to Bologna three years ago when he helped Genoa get promoted to Serie A, the Roman discovered the form of his career despite being the wrong side of 30 years old.

Di Vaio has scored 55 goals in 103 games in Serie A, a truly remarkable tally in helping the Rossoblu survive from relegation.

A slightly poor run this season is a sign that perhaps even he cannot maintain this exceptional goalscoring run but undoubtedly there will be another spurt of form as the capitano, who shunned interest from Napoli to play in the Champions League due to a gentleman's agreement with the president Albano Guaraldi, aims to ensure Bologna survive again.

17. Fabrizio Miccoli, Palermo

Fabrizio Miccoli has been a sensation in recent seasons whilst firing in the goals for Palermo.

The stocky little striker is a constant source of energy as he leads by example for the Rosanero.

Personal issues with Marcello Lippi prevented a call up to the World Cup squad in 2010 but his form is superb.

In 112 games the Apulian has scored 53 goals and not just tap ins either, Miccoli is capable of this, as well as this.

16. Robinho, AC Milan & Brazil

Robinho is something of an enigma as he ridiculous talent has never been quite fulfilled.

The Samba star is guilty of never having the hunger to defy plenty of critics who question is selflessness.

Motivated by being the best player in the world, Robinho has never endeared himself to the neutral fans.

But Robinho's talent will see him score plenty of goals as 16 goals in 39 games has shown since joining Milan after his acrimonious falling out with Manchester City.

Robinho's record would be further enhanced if he were not relied upon to give his side that creative spark with Max Allegri using him as an attacking midfielder throughout last season.

Robinho is capable of finally fulfilling his talent at a club that suits him, given plenty of his own countrymen and a culture closer to that of his home land.

Robinho will also enjoy a lot of time on the ball which is what he does best, so expect him to become one of Serie A's leading scorers over the coming years.

15. Alberto Gilardino, Fiorentina & Italy

Alberto Gilardino is one of the top goal scorers in Italy over the last decade with Parma, Milan and now Fiorentina.

Starved a real partner in crime last season with the severe injury to Stevan Jovetic and injured himself this season, the Italy international, last called up in September, will be desperate to recapture his form now with his Montenegrin strike partner on top form.

Gilardino has notched up 47 goals in his 112 games for the Viola including this clinical finishes like this.

A new manager in Delio Rossi is in place at the Viola, so Gila Mania could be with us once more.

14. Stevan Jovetic, Fiorentina & Montenegro

Stevan Jovetic is set to become one of Europe's greatest players.

The mercurial talent was hit by a severe ligament injury last season but has come back stronger than ever with some sparkling form this season.

The Montenegrin has scored five times in eight games as he attempted to haul the Viola towards the upper echelons of the table where their talent should take them.

Unfortunately it has not been enough as the Serbian manager Sinisa Mihajlovic was fired before the international break.

Jovetic will hope that things can turn around fast otherwise one would suspect a move to one of Europe's giant clubs will be imminent.

13. Francesco Totti, Roma

Il Capitano, Il Bimbo D'Oro (The Golden Boy) and Il Gladiatore (The Gladiator) are just a few of the names handed to this iconic player.

One of the greats of his generation, Francesco Totti simply has to be on this list.

He is currently sitting fifth in the all time top scorers list for Serie A with 207 goals but will undoubtedly take at least 2nd place before he retires with Gunnar Nordahl just 18 goals ahead of him.

Totti has scored 262 goals in total, so far, for his boy hood club and will be idolised for eternity in the capital by the Giallorossi fans.

Totti is yet to hit top form this season as new manager Luis Enrique figures out a way of accommodating the great man but given that he scored 15 times in 32 games last season, there is no sign that Totti is finished just yet at 35.

12. Diego Milito, Inter Milan & Argentina

Diego Milito has to be on this list given his history in the league over the last decade.

El Príncipe is a hero in Genoa where he fired in 60 goals in 98 games in two separate spells either side of a prolific run with Spanish side Real Zaragoza.

It was enough to force Inter Milan to make a complicated deal that involved Thiago Motta joining him in Milan with Robert Acquafresca, Riccardo Meggiorini, Leonardo Bonucci, Francesco Bolzoni, Ivan Fatic as well as cash going the other way.

It paid off in spectacular style as Milito laid claim to being the greatest striker in Europe for the 2009/10 season as Inter won everything with the champagne moment being a 2-0 victory in the Champions League final with Milito claiming a brace.

Milito has scored 42 goals in 93 games and will surely continue to add to this total under the tutelage of Claudio Ranieri now. 

11. Alexandre Pato, AC Milan & Brazil

The phenomenal talent that is Alexandre Pato has scored 50 goals in 105 games in Serie A since joining from Internacional of Porto Alegre.

The Rossoneri paid a €24m fee for the striker and despite being just 22-years-old, he has justified this price tag with some sensational goals like this.

Pato has been badly affected by injuries and will need to stay healthy in order to fulfil his talent as he is capable of becoming the one of the best strikers in the world as Mano Menezes has claimed that it is not Neymar but Pato who could become the star of the Seleção team at the 2014 World Cup.

He has proven himself on the big stage with goals against the greatest sides in Europe in the Champions League against Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Now Pato must be more consistent and that will only come by being healthy and staying on the pitch.

10. Giampaolo Pazzini, Inter Milan & Italy

Il Pazzo knows where the net is.

Giampaolo Pazzini has developed in to one of the league's most dangerous strikers with an all round game that has seen him produce all sorts of goals.

The Italy international is a traditional striker who thrives on good service and can be relied upon to be productive with the amount of chances that fall to him.

At 27-years-old, Pazzini is entering his prime with Inter now after his move in 2011.

Pazzini notched up 19 goals in his second season with Sampdoria which propelled them to the Champions League qualification spots.

Pazzini has not be fazed by the bright lights at the Nerazzurri with 15 goals in 30 games so far and surely the focal point of this Nerazzurri team as it is rebuilt in the coming months.

9. Rodrigo Palacio, Genoa & Argentina

Rodrigo Palacio arrived late in Europe after moving form Boca Juniors at 27-years-old.

He has made up for lost time though and fired in 21 goals in 63 games for the Rossoblu.

Particularly brilliant this year under Alberto Malesani where he has notched five goals already in a very inconsistent side.

Some rumours suggested Inter Milan and Spurs were set to make bids but given he is now 29-year-old, this may put off some of his potential suitors.

 He has great pace and all round ability on the ball to dribble it past players and use it intelligently, given greater service, one could imagine him being among the top scorers in Europe.

8. Pablo Daniel Osvaldo, Roma & Italy

Pablo Daniel Osvaldo has been one of the buys of the season since arriving from Espanyol this summer for €17.5m.

He has repaid Roma already by scoring five times to become one of the major contenders for the Capocannoniere.

An all action striker with good skills in the air, Osvaldo was soon snapped up to play for Italy due to earning citizenship from spells with Atalanta, Lecce, Fiorentina and Bologna from 2006-10.

At 25-years-old he is realising his potential and entering his prime with exciting times ahead given the array of talent who are capable of serving up an abundance of chances with the likes of Miralem Pjanic, Francesco Totti, Erik Lamela and others.

7. German Denis, Atalanta & Argentina

Unwanted at Napoli and then Udinese, German Denis is proving the critics wrong with the form of his life at Bergamo club Atalanta.

The Argentine has been red hot this season with seven goals in 10 games for the Nerazzurri.

It has led Argentina manager Alejandro Sabella to call up the man known as El Tanque for the World Cup qualifiers.

Atalanta started the season with a six point deduction for their part in the Calcioscommesse betting scandal.

El Tanque's form and partnership with countryman Maxi Moralez will see them easily survive and without the penalty, which they are appealing, they would be fifth, just three points of top spot.

6. Sebastian Giovinco, Parma & Italy

Sebastian Giovinco is coming of age.

The Atomic Ant has been in amazing form for Parma this year, leading many to predict that Juventus will want their former player back next summer.

Giovinco may have other ideas with Chelsea being linked recently, but his priority should be to continue playing for Parma until the European Championship in Poland and Ukraine next summer as he is potentially the start of this tournament as he becomes integral to Cesare Prandelli's plans.

Giovinco has scored six times in eight games this season which is a phenomenal rate for a player who enjoys to sit deeper and create as much as score goals.

At 25-years-old we can only be grateful that his talent is finally being realised and look forward to enjoying him play at this level for years to come.

5. Alessandro Matri, Juventus & Italy

Alessandro Matri is enjoying some tremendous form since joining Juventus last year.

Matri has scored 13 times in 23 games which is a greater rate than when David Trezeguet joined Juventus.

Currently enjoying a role as a lone striker, Matri's goals have fired the Bianconeri to the top of the table, although they remain third now after last weekend's postponement.

Now a member of Cesare Prandelli's squad it is intriguing to see who the Azzurri line up with in attack with such an array of talent.

Matri is in the frame and is coming of age with the Old Lady.

4. Miroslav Klose, Lazio & Germany

Miroslav Klose has been excellent since his free transfer from Bayern Munich this summer.

Many, including myself, were sceptical as to whether he could replicate his tremendous international form with a club after a dismal run with Bayern over recent years, but he is thriving as the main man in the capital.

Klose has six goals in nine games and is one of the favourites for the capocannoniere.

If his form continues, not only will Lazio be in with a chance of Champions League qualification but a serious contender for the scudetto.

3. Edinson Cavani, Napoli & Uruguay

Edinson Cavani is one of Europe's most wanted strikers.

The Uruguayan is coming off the back of the season of his life as he scored 26 goals in 35 games to fire Napoli in to the Champions League with a 3rd place finish.

This season he has shown it was no fluke with four goals in eight games including a brilliant hat trick to stun Milan 3-1 at the San Paolo.

Cavani is generating interest from the likes of Chelsea and is destined to be among the best strikers in Europe for many years to come.

2. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, AC Milan & Sweden

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is showing why he is to be considered as the best all round striker in the world right now.

He is in scintillating form this season with Milan scoring five times in seven games and showcasing an all round game that very few can rival.

Ibrahimovic has been doing this for a seven seasons in Serie A, interrupted with a brief spell with Barcelona, scoring 99 times in 190 games for Juventus, Inter Milan and now at AC Milan.

His record shows that wherever he plays in Italy he wins the title, so in this form, it is looking ominous for Milan's rivals.

1. Antonio Di Natale, Udinese

Antonio Di Natale is surely the most deadly striker in Serie A right now.

His service will not be to the same standard at some of Italy's biggest clubs but it does not stop him from scoring by the bucket load.

Toto is remarkable in the sense that he is quite capable of becoming only the third man ever to win the Capocannoniere three-straight seasons (along with Michel Platini and GUnnar Nordahl).

This feat is more incredible given that he is 34-years-old.

Cesare Prandelli still wont call him up though which is the biggest travesty.

But Di Natale is not bitter, a truly great character of calcio and his goal scoring exploits are marvellous.

Di Natale has 120 goals in 237 games over eight season with the Friulani but it is his form in recent years that are all the more remarkable.

Since 2009/10 season Toto has racked up 65 goals in just 80 games.

A true gem in football today and fully deserving of the title as Serie A's most deadly striker.

Let me know your thoughts and opinions below in the comments section.

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