Throughout the long and exhausting campaign, every club is bound to suffer from a host of injuries. The best that a manager can hope for is preventing deep crisis that enable him to select a normal starting XI. But while some absentees can be neutralized by introducing capable alternatives, some players are simply irreplaceable, either due to their unique qualities, or to the lack of a similar substitute. So let’s identify the most indispensable player in every Top seven Serie A side.
Inter: Marcelo Brozovic
Although the Italian champions possess what is arguably the deepest squad in Serie A, Marcelo Brozovic remains their most indispensable player. The Croatian is the main architect who operates at the heart of Simone Inzaghi’s lineup.
The Regista plays a major role in taking the ball out from the back and creating plays. If anyone had doubts over his importance to the team, the Nerazzurri’s latest defeat at the hands of Sassuolo summarized it all.
In the absence of Brozovic, Nicolò Barella couldn’t quite fill his teammate’s large shoes while playing in a deeper role, and any other Inter midfielder wouldn’t have coped any better.
Milan: Theo Hernandez
During the previous eras, some observers used to claim that the fullback is the least important role in football.
But in this day an age, Pep Guardiola proved that a smart and talented fullback can make all the difference, and Theo Hernandez might be the perfect example.
Every time the Frenchman surges forward, he causes havoc for the opposition due to his speedy runs, sublime crosses and occasional dangerous shots.
In the absence of the former Real Madrid man, the Rossoneri lose a large percentage of their attacking threat.
Atalanta: Duvan Zapata
Gian Piero Gasperini’s squad is blessed with talent on the wings and in the middle of the park. However, every court needs an executioner.
At the moment, Atalanta are facing a major injury crisis that is seeing them slip behind in the Serie A table, but Duvan Zapata’s absence has to be the most significant, as the Colombian beast has to be one of their most indispensable players.
Luis Muriel and Josip Ilicic are also unavailable, but in all cases, the pair can’t truly replicate the power, strength and finishing touch of the former Napoli man.
Juventus: Paulo Dybala
At Juventus, we find a number of physically-strong midfielders shieling an already solid backline. And with Dusan Vlahovic, they now have a formidable bomber.
However, the lack of creativity is plain to see, and the last Derby della Mole was another example of a team short of ideas – especially following Paulo Dybala’s injury in the second half.
Therefore, the Argentine’s flicks and skills are essential for Massimiliano Allegri’s side, which is why he’s been playing in a deeper role than usual, as he helps his teammates in creating plays in the middle of the park.
Napoli: Kalidou Koulibaly
Although Napoli have several indispensable players (the likes of Fabian Ruiz, Victor Osimhen and Lorenzo Insigne), Kalidou Koulibaly remains the hardest to replace, after all, we’re talking about one of the very best defenders in Serie A.
Aside from his prowess at the back, the Senegal international has become the De Facto leader of the squad as Insigne already has one foot outside of the southern city.
Lazio: Ciro Immobile
While Sergej Milinkovic-Savic might be the best midfielder in Italy, Lazio struggle the most when playing without their talisman Ciro Immobile.
During the last six years, the capital side has been almost solely relying on the Italian’s goals upfront.
In his absence, Maurizio Sarri started with Felipe Anderson as false 9 against Udinese before introducing new signing Jovan Cabral. While the Brazilian managed to score in the 1-1 draw, the presence of the former Borussia Dortmund striker could have decided the match in the Biancocelesti’s favor.
Roma: Tammy Abraham
Throughout his illustrious career, José Mourinho always relied on a focal point in attack. Let the others enjoy their false nines.
Therefore, the Portuguese can’t afford to play without the services of his English center forward.
Tammy Abraham’s quick adaptation to the Italian game has been one of the main success stories of the Serie A campaign, as the former Chelsea man quickly rose to become the most indispensable player in the Eternal City.