Best XI of Serie A Round 22: Fiorentina Quartet Deliver a Show

Fiorentina, Juventus, Lazio, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2021-2022, Spezia, Top 11

Another weekend in Serie A came to an end on Monday night, with some intriguing encounters that could have a reasonable impact on the rest of the season.

In Round 22, the eyes of Italian football fans were mainly focused on the key match of the weekend, when Atalanta hosted league leaders Inter, hoping to close the gap to the top. Although Gian Piero Gasperini’s side failed to pick up a win, they still managed to upset the Nerazzurri, who ended their eight-game winning streak with a 0-0 draw.

In the other games, Inter’s city rivals Milan suffered a shock when they conceded a goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time and eventually lost to Spezia 2-1. The highest win of the weekend was recorded in Florence, where Fiorentina put in a magnificent performance to beat Genoa 6-0.

Here we take a look at the best statistical XI of Serie A Round 22.

Goalkeeper – Juan Musso (Atalanta)

Over the last few seasons, Atalanta were usually associated with an extremely offensive style of play. However, Gasperini’s men can be just as good defensively as they are offensively when needed.

The game against Inter was proof of that, along with an exceptional performance from goalkeeper Juan Musso. The Argentine made 3 saves during the 90 minutes, including a spectacular shot stop in the first half, which in total equated to 1.52 xGC (Expected Goals Conceded).

FotMob Rating – 7.9

Right-Back / Right Wing-Back – Alvaro Odriozola (Fiorentina)

Against Genoa, Fiorentina put in one of the best performances in Serie A this season. From defence to attack, the Viola were outstanding in all areas of the pitch, and right-back Alvaro Odriozola was one of the standout performers.

The Spaniard scored his first goal of the campaign in the 15th minute to open the scoring against Genoa (0.32 xG). Odriozola also completed 87% of his passes, 2 of which were key passes.

FotMob Rating – 8.3

Right Centre-Back – Gianluca Mancini (Roma)

After squandering a two-goal lead against Juventus, Roma got back on the winning track with a 1-0 victory over Cagliari. It was also the eighth clean sheet of the season for the Giallorossi, and one of their key defenders, Gianluca Mancini, played a big part in keeping their opponents from scoring.

The Italian was a true rock at the back, winning 83% of his defensive duels (10/12), 7 of which were aerial duels, and also making 6 ball recoveries.

FotMob Rating – 7.7

Left Centre-Back – Igor Julio (Fiorentina)

Fiorentina showed its true offensive potential in a 6-0 win over Genoa, but the team’s defensive performance should not be underestimated either.

Central defender Igor Julio was part of the Viola’s back line that kept a clean sheet for the fifth time this season. The Brazilian was solid throughout the match, winning 8 defensive duels, including 4 aerials, and recovering the ball 6 times.

FotMob Rating – 7.8

Left-Back / Left Wing-Back – Cristiano Biraghi (Fiorentina)

It is not often that we see a performance as adept defensively and offensively as the one Fiorentina put on Monday night. Three of the team’s six goals were scored by defenders, which is a good indication of how well the Viola’s attacking game is working.

Left-back Cristiano Biraghi scored twice (0.14 xG) to help his side to their first Serie A win in three games. He also excelled in shooting efficiency, needing only 3 attempts on goal to score twice.

FotMob Rating – 9.0

Central Midfielder – Giacomo Bonaventura (Fiorentina)

As many as four Fiorentina players have made it to the list of the best XI of Round 22. The four defenders are joined by central midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura, who was also heavily involved in the Viola’s excellent offensive performance.

The Italian scored a goal (0.82 xG) and provided an assist (0.09 xA) in a much-discussed 6-0 win. Bonaventura also completed 91% of his passes, 2 of which were key passes.

FotMob Rating – 8.8

Central Attacking Midfielder – Antonin Barak (Verona)

As good as the performances of some of Fiorentina’s players were against Genoa, they can not match the performance of one of Verona’s attacking midfielders.

Antonin Barak put in a stunning performance against Sassuolo, scoring a hat-trick and providing an assist in Verona’s impressive 4-2 win over Sassuolo.

FotMob Rating – 9.8

Right Winger – Hirving Lozano (Napoli)

Although Napoli have not been in a particularly good form of late, Luciano Spalletti’s men are not going to give up the title challenge just yet.

They put in a solid display against Bologna on Monday night, winning 2-0, with Mexican winger Hirving Lozano arguably the star player of the match, scoring both goals (1.42 xG).

FotMob Rating – 9.1

Right Winger – Emmanuel Gyasi (Spezia)

Spezia’s incredible 2-1 victory over Milan will be remembered for a long time not only by the club’s fans, but especially by Emmanuel Gyasi.

The Ghana international scored the winning goal in the 96th minute (0.37 xG) to give his side their most impressive win of the season so far. Gyasi was also spectacular in the playmaking department, playing 5 key passes.

FotMob Rating – 8.5

Forward – Paulo Dybala (Juventus)

After the last-second defeat to Inter in the Supercoppa Italiana, Juventus were out to make amends in the match against Udinese. And that is exactly what the Bianconeri did, defeating Luca Gotti’s men 2-0 and are now just one point behind fourth-placed Atalanta.

Paulo Dybala was the star player on the night for Juve, netting his seventh goal of the season (0.32 xG). The Argentine forward also completed an impressive 94% of his passes.

FotMob Rating – 8.3

Centre Forward – Ciro Immobile (Lazio)

Lazio remain the dark horse in the fight for Champions League places for next season. The Biancocelesti celebrated their first win in four games with a 3-0 victory over newcomers Salernitana.

The key to the win was the talisman striker Ciro Immobile, who scored twice (1.19 xG) and is now the league’s top scorer with 17 goals.

FotMob Rating – 9.1

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