epa09750176 Lazio's Mattia Zaccagni (C) reacts after scoring a goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between SS Lazio and Bologna FC at the Olimpico stadium in Rome, Italy, 12 February 2022. EPA-EFE/FABIO FRUSTACI

Best XI of Serie A Round 25: Lazio Trio Keep Top 4 Dreams Alive

Fiorentina, Hellas Verona, Inter, Lazio, Serie A, Serie A 2021-2022, Top 10, Venezia

Another eventful and dramatic weekend in Serie A came to an end on Monday night with a shift in the places at the top of the table.

In Round 25, Inter and Napoli, two of the title contenders, faced off against each other at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Despite their best efforts, neither team managed to score the winning goal – the match ended 1-1, which means that the two teams are still separated by one point in the table.

When one loses, the other wins. That could be said about Milan, which took advantage of its city rival’s slip and climbed to first place in Serie A after a narrow 1-0 win over Sampdoria.

In other games, Lazio are still within reach of the top four as Maurizio Sarri’s men recorded the second highest win of the weekend, beating Bologna 3-0.

Here we take a look at the best statistical XI of Serie A Round 25.

Goalkeeper – Lorenzo Montipo (Verona)

Verona recorded the highest victory of the weekend with a 4-0 win over Udinese and remains within reach of the European places.

In addition to the outstanding offensive performance, the Gialloblu also impressed defensively. Goalkeeper Lorenzo Montipo made a great game with 6 saves, which counter for 1.04 xGOT (Expected Goals on Target).

FotMob Rating – 8.3

Right-Back / Right Wing-Back – Manuel Lazzari (Lazio)

Lazio were one of the few teams to record comfortable wins over the weekend, with defenders, midfielders and forwards playing at the highest level.

One part of the back four that kept a clean sheet was right-back Manuel Lazzari. The Italian international not only provided his first assist of the season (xA 0.53) but was also very solid in defence, winning 62% of his duels (8/13).

FotMob Rating – 8.0

Right Centre-Back – Michael Svoboda (Venezia)

Venezia are fighting incredibly hard for survival in Serie A this season, and the 2-1 win over Torino has given the club a huge boost for the remaining games.

Although the Serie A newcomer could not keep a clean sheet, it was still a credible performance defensively. Austrian centre-back Michael Svoboda was outstanding in this match: he won a remarkable 92% of his duels (16/18) and recovered the ball 9 times.

FotMob Rating – 8.2

Left Centre-Back – Federico Dimarco (Inter)

Inter did not get a win against Napoli, but overall, it was a decent performance for the team’s high standards.

Federico Dimarco, left-sided centre-back, had a very good game in the Nerazzurri back line: he completed 97% of his passes, won 80% of the duels in defence, made 3 interceptions and recovered the ball 6 times.

FotMob Rating – 7.8

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

In Spezia’s 2-1 win over Torino, two of the team’s defenders made the best XI of the weekend, with Ridgeciano Haps being named man of the match.

The Surinamese left-back scored his first goal of the season against Torino (xG 0.23), which proved to be the equaliser. Haps was also solid defensively, winning 8 of 13 duels and making 6 ball recoveries.

FotMob Rating – 8.1

Central Midfielder – Adrien Tameze (Verona)

Midfielders capable of creating chances and scoring goals are valued extremely highly on the transfer market. In the case of Verona’s Adrien Tameze, the player’s value has increased after his outstanding performance over the weekend.

The Cameroon international scored a goal (xG 0.05) and provided an assist (xA 0.07) in the 4-0 win over Udinese, making him the team’s highest-rated player this round.

FotMob Rating – 9.0

Central Midfielder – Luis Alberto (Lazio)

When this man plays his best football, Lazio’s chances of winning the game double. That is how important Luis Alberto is for Maurizio Sarri’s team, and the Spaniard showed his best side against Bologna.

The 29-year-old recorded his seventh assist of the season at the weekend (xA 0.22), which was 1 of 5 key passes he played. In addition, Luis Alberto completed 94% of all his passing attempts (58/62).

FotMob Rating – 8.7

Attacking Midfielder – Gianluca Caprari (Verona)

Verona has been one of the pleasant surprises of this Serie A season so far, especially in the offensive department. With 47 goals, Verona are currently the fourth highest scoring team in the league.

One player who has contributed a lot to this record is attacking midfielder Gianluca Caprari. The Italian scored one goal (xG 0.05) and provided one assist (xA 0.21) over the weekend, bringing his combined goal and assist tally to 15.

FotMob Rating – 8.7

Forward – Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina)

After losing their star player in attack, Dusan Vlahovic, to Juventus, Fiorentina need other forwards to improve their game and replace the great Serb.

One player who is ready to do that is Nicolas Gonzalez. Although the Argentine forward did not contribute a goal or an assist in the 2-1 win against Spezia, he won his team a penalty and made 5 key passes.

FotMob Rating – 8.3

Forward – Mattia Zaccagni (Lazio)

For many years, Lazio have been utterly reliant on Ciro Immobile to score goals. This season, however, the Italian striker has more partners to help him in that department.

One Lazio player who has had solid performances this season is forward Mattia Zaccagni. The 26-year-old scored twice against Bologna (xG 0.68) and has already scored 6 goals this Serie A season.

FotMob Rating – 9.1

Centre Forward – Mattia Destro (Genoa)

Genoa are the team with the fewest wins this Serie A campgain – the club from the northwest has won only once in 25 games this season. Unfortunately, the record has not improved after the match against Salernitana, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

The only small bright spot in this dark season for Genoa is striker Mattia Destro. The Italian scored his ninth goal of the season at the weekend (xG 0.88), making him Genoa’s top scorer.

FotMob Rating – 8.3

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