Best XI of Serie A Round 12: Lazio Trio Put In a Show

AC Milan, Empoli, Genoa, Inter, Inter Milan, Lazio, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2021-2022

Round 12 of Serie A offered some exciting fixtures that ultimately produced intriguing results as teams head into the final international break this week.

Undoubtedly, all eyes were on the first Derby di Milano of the season, where Inter missed the chance to become the first team to beat Milan this season, as the game ended in a 1-1 draw. In other fixtures, Roma suffered another defeat, this time to newcomers Venezia 3-2.

Here we take a look at the best statistical XI of Serie A Round 12.

Goalkeeper – Ciprian Tatarusanu (Milan)

After the departure of Gianluigi Donnarumma in the summer and the signing of Mike Maignan, the chances of Ciprian Tatarusanu standing between the posts for Milan this season were very slim.

However, an unexpected injury to Maignan meant that the 35-year-old had to be called up for the last five games, including the Milan derby. The Romanian goalkeeper did not disappoint, saving a valuable point for the Rossoneri with his penalty save against Lautaro Martinez.

FotMob Rating – 7.6

Right-Back / Right Wing-Back – Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli)

Napoli continue their incredible early season run and are still unbeaten after their first 12 games following a 1-1 draw with Verona.

Right-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo was responsible for the team’s draw with Verona, scoring the equalizer in the 18th minute with his first goal of the season. The Italian also completed 89% of his pass attempts.

FotMob Rating – 8.3

Right Center-Back – Mattia Viti (Empoli)

Empoli have made a more than encouraging start to life in Serie A this season, picking up 16 points from their first 12 games.

They played out their first draw of the season against Genoa (2-2) and despite conceding two goals, center-back Mattia Viti put in an impressive performance. The 19-year-old won a staggering 12 duels, recovered the ball as many times and was successful in 4 out of 5 dribble attempts.

FotMob Rating – 8.3

Left Center-Back – Domenico Criscito (Genoa)

Unlike Empoli, Genoa have made a pretty miserable start to the 2021/22 Serie A season. With just one win after 12 games, Genoa are level on points with 18th placed Sampdoria.

One of the few bright sparks for Genoa this season has been their 34-year-old defender Domenico Criscito. The Italian, who was originally intended to play at left-back, played at left center-back against Empoli and scored his fifth goal of the season, successfully converting a penalty in the 13th minute.

FotMob Rating – 8.5

Left-Back / Left Wing-Back – Ridgeciano Haps (Venezia)

Venezia celebrated arguably their biggest win of the season so far at the weekend with a 3-2 victory over Jose Mourinho’s Roma.

Although the Serie A newcomers conceded two goals, left-back Ridgeciano Haps was impressive on both ends of the pitch. The 28-year-old played 2 key passes and created 1 great scoring chance in the win; he also won a remarkable 89% of duels.

FotMob Rating – 8.1

Central Midfielder – Luis Alberto (Lazio)

Lazio have made a reasonable start to the 2021/22 season and are currently just one point off a Champions League spot.

Luis Alberto, Lazio’s midfield powerhouse, has arguably been one of the most important players in recent seasons and continues to show impressive performances this season. The Spaniard scored his second goal of the season in the 3-0 win over Salernitana and also completed 89% of his passes.

FotMob Rating – 8.6

Central Attacking Midfielder – Mario Pasalic (Atalanta)

Atalanta recorded their third win in their last five games with a 2-1 victory over Cagliari at the weekend.

The central attacking midfielder was one of the scorers for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side on Saturday, scoring his second goal of the season. The Croatian international also played an impressive 4 key passes and set up 1 big scoring chance for his teammates.

FotMob Rating – 8.7

Central Attacking Midfielder – Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter)

Inter came close to causing Milan their first major upset of the season, but had to settle for a 1-1 draw after Lautaro Martinez’s missed penalty in the first half.

However, the Nerazzurri took the lead in the same manner when Hakan Calhanoglu converted a penalty in the 11th minute to score his second goal of the season. The Turkish international also created 1 big chance.

FotMob Rating – 8.7

Right Forward – Felipe Anderson (Lazio)

After a disappointing spell at West Ham United, Felipe Anderson has returned to the place where he was once loved.

The Brazilian forward registered his third assist of the season against Salernitana and continues his impressive start to the season. Anderson also played 3 key passes in this game.

FotMob Rating – 8.4

Left Forward – Pedro Rodriguez (Lazio)

Another Lazio forward who has impressed so far this season is Pedro. The Spaniard moved to Rome’s fiercest city rivals in a controversial transfer in the summer, but it seems the 34-year-old is more than happy in the sky blue jersey.

Pedro scored his fourth goal of the season against Salernitana and also recorded his second assist. He also played 4 key passes and completed 94% of all pass attempts.

FotMob Rating – 9.0

Striker – Marko Arnautovic (Bologna)

Bologna have made a great start to the season and currently sit in the top 10, with Sinisa Mihajlovic’s men beating Sampdoria 2-1 away from home at the weekend to pick up their fifth win of the season.

Main striker Marko Arnautovic was the hero of the day, scoring the winner in the 78th minute, his fifth of the season.

FotMob Rating – 8.4

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