Serie A XI 2020/21 (So Far)

The Italian Serie A has been entertaining this season with some surprise packages as well. AC Milan are threatening to restore the ‘good ol’ days’ with the early season form.

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But which players that have given it all into the field of play. With some the likes of Juventus and Inter not having it their own way, there are some surprise inclusions while also some of Serie A’s biggest names.

GK: Marco Silvestri (Hellas Verona)

The 29-year-old is proof that most shot-stoppers find their best years in the late 20s. The former Leeds United player has been hard to beat for Hellas Verona conceding only five goals. That is the least in Serie A when comparing him other goalkeepers in the league this season. The Italian has been a big part of the team’s success this season. They’ve only suffered one defeat in seven outings, winning three and drawing three.

RB: Danilo (Juventus)

Danilo is in form of his life this season which is something that hasn’t happened in the past five years. He last played his best football during his Porto days before having frustrating spells with Real Madrid and Manchester City. But the 29-year-old defender looks settled and happy and has responded well to Andrea Pirlo’s tactics. No wonder Juventus is the second-best defensive team in the league so far. If the Brazilian continues with his good start, he’ll further cement his place in the starting XI.

CB: Roger Ibanez (AS Roma)

Ibanez has been exceptional for Roma this season and his loan from Atalanta could land up being permanent. The Brazilian never found it easy in Italy after arriving from Fluminense last season and as a result, he made only one appearance for Atalanta. The 23-year-old is showing why so many European clubs were interested in him during his time in his homeland.

CB: Vlad Chiriches (Sassuolo)

This season Serie A is blessed with young defenders but the veteran Chiriches is showing why experience matters. He has provided 1.7 tackles so far according to Whoscored.com. The 31-year-old Romanian also likes to go forward and has already scored a goal and contributed an assist. The way Chiriches is comfortable with the ball is what made Sassuolo so dangerous when building from the back.

LB: Theo Hernandez (AC Milan)

The Frenchman is having a season to remember in AC Milan under the tutelage of Stefano Pioli. Since his €20 million switch to the Italian capital from Real Madrid, Hernandez has rewarded the faith in him by playing excellent football that many believed he is capable of. The 23-year-old has played a key role in Milan’s early season form and has become a dangerous attacking outlet on the left flank.

CM: Ismael Bennacer (AC Milan)

Bennacer has been a driving force in the heart of the AC Milan midfield this season. The diminutive 22-year-old is dynamic, tenacious and energetic, and has formed a great partnership with Frank Kessie. The versatile left-footed player can protect the defence and is an excellent reader of the game. His ability to conduct proceedings from midfield and screed his defence makes his a superb box to box midfielder.

LM: Henrikh Mkhitaryan (AS Roma)

Since Mkhitaryan made a permanent switch to Roma from Arsenal he’s put in some outstanding performances. The 31-year-old midfielder has contributed seven times to the 15 goals scored by his side. And so far he is the assist king in the league with four. The Armenian seems to have put the bad patch at Arsenal and Manchester United behind him with his technical quality and dynamism shining through in Rome

RM: Domenico Beradi (Sassuolo)

The surprise package of the Serie A this season has to be Sassuolo right-winger Beradi. With three goals and two assists, Beradi is maturing fast this season. His form was rewarded recently with the 25-year-old earning another call up to the Italian national team. According to Whoscored.com, Beradi has provided 2.5 key passes as he continues to be a threat to many defences. And Sassuolo is one of the best footballing teams in Serie A, they have an 88.2% accuracy pass percentage.

LF: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)

For years, Ronaldo has been scoring non-stop and in the process penning his name into the records books. It seems like there is no stopping him once again this season. The 35-year-old striker remains the key player in the Juventus squad if they hope to secure a 10th consecutive league title. This season he has scored six goals as he continues to leave the legacy in Turin despite having dealt with Covid-19.

RF: Andrea Belotti (Torino)

The 26-year-old forward continues where he left off last season – to score when it really matters. His six goals this season and assist make him one of the most valuable members of this Torino side. The Italians precise positioning, ability to find space in between the defences as well an eye for a goal makes him one of the league’s best. His strength and willingness to run off the ball gives defenders a headache in trying to contain him for 90 minutes.

CF: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (AC Milan)

The Swedish striker needs no introduction to the footballing world. The 39-year-old is ageing like fine wine as he continues to give defenders a hard time while scoring goals at will. His eight goals this season in seven appearances make him a leading goalscorer, the Swede has contributed to 50% of the goals scored by AC Milan this season. For the Rossoneri to go back to their glory days, they have to rely on Ibrahimovic to lead them there.

Substitutes

David Ospina

Giovanni Di Lorenzo

Fransesco Arcebi

Alejandro Gomez

Filip Djuricic

Joao Pedro

Giovanni Simeone