The Best XI of Serie A Round 5: Napoli Make Early Statement

AC Milan, Genoa, Hellas Verona, Juventus, Napoli, Serie A

Round 5 of Serie A saw teams play their first games of the new season in midweek, with the league standings starting to gradually resemble the likely outcome at the end of May.

Napoli continue to remain the only team in the league with an unblemished record so far, securing five successive wins. They produced an impressive attacking display for the second matchday in a row, this time defeating Sampdoria 4-0. Meanwhile, Juventus recorded their first win of the season after coming from a goal deficit to beat Spezia 3-2.

Here we take a look at the best statistical XI of Serie A Round 5 in collaboration with the FotMob app.

Goalkeeper – David Ospina (Napoli)

The 33-year-old was one of four goalkeepers to keep a clean sheet during the week. Although Napoli’s attacking performance against Sampdoria was the main talking point, the Colombian international had a fine evening in Genoa.

Ospina stopped 5 opponent shots, 4 of which were diving saves, equating to 0.66 Expected Goals Conceded (xGC), meaning the Napoli goalkeeper saved his team almost a goal.

FotMob Rating – 8.3

Right-Back / Right Wing-Back – Pierre Kalulu (Milan)

After dropping their first points of the season against Juventus, Milan got back on the winning track with a 2-0 win over Venezia and kept their third clean sheet of the season.

Pierre Kalulu was part of the back four that prevented Spezia from scoring and put in a solid performance throughout the game. The Frenchman won 80% of his duels (4/5), made 3 interceptions and played 2 key passes.

FotMob Rating – 8.1

Right Center-Back – Alessio Romagnoli (Milan)

Partnering Kalulu in the backline we have his Milan teammate Alessio Romagnoli. The Italian was also faultless in the Rosssoneri’s 2-0 win on Wednesday night and deservedly makes the list.

The 26-year-old recorded impressive statistical numbers against Venezia: he won 69% of his duels (9/13), made 3 successful tackles (100% success rate), recovered the ball 6 times and completed 88% of his pass attempts (81/92).

FotMob Rating – 8.1

Left Center-Back – Domenico Criscito (Genoa)

It is quite rare for a center-back to make the best XI of the week when his team concedes two goals. Genoa’s Domenico Criscito is that rare exception, making it onto this list despite the team’s defensive frailties.

The 34-year-old was not particularly impressive from a defensive standpoint, but his assist and last-minute equalizer earned Genoa an important point.

FotMob Rating – 8.6

Left-Back / Left Wing-Back – Theo Hernandez (Milan)

Undoubtedly one of the best attacking full-backs in Europe in Theo Hernandez once again showed why he should be given such status.

The Frenchman only played 30 minutes against Venezia but made an outstanding contribution, setting up Milan’s first goal and scoring the second himself.

FotMob Rating – 8.4

Attacking Midfielder – Hirving Lozano (Napoli)

Hirving Lozano is the second of the four Napoli players to put in an outstanding performance in midweek, helping his team to a thumping 4-0 win.

The Mexican international registered his first 2 assists of the season, setting up the goals from Victor Osimhen and Piotr Zielinski.

FotMob Rating – 8.8

Left Winger – Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli)

The second attacker who was instrumental in Napoli’s 4-0 win is the club’s talisman Lorenzo Insigne.

The Italian winger had a fairly quiet start to his season before the game against Sampdoria, but his 2 assists on Thursday night may be an indication that Insigne is gradually returning to his best level of performance.

FotMob Rating – 8.7

Right Midfielder / Winger – Federico Chiesa (Juventus)

Juventus finally recorded their first win of the season after four winless games, beating Spezia 3-2. One of the keys to this win was Federico Chiesa, who is slowly getting back to his last season’s performances.

Against Spezia, the Italian scored his first goal of the season – the equalizer to make it 2-2 – and also impressed in other areas of the attack. Adding to his goal, Chiesa created 8 big scoring chance and made a remarkable 8 key passes.

FotMob Rating – 9.1

Forward / Second Striker – Paulo Dybala (Juventus)

Assisting his Juventus teammate in attack is Paulo Dybala. Although the Argentine has yet to put up impressive numbers this season, Dybala has been one of the few bright sparks in a disappointing season so far for Juventus.

On Wednesday night, the Argentine was integral to the team’s attacking play, completing 6 shot-creating actions, as well as making 6 progressive passes and 1 key pass.

FotMob Rating – 8.2

Striker – Nikola Kalinic (Verona)

Verona did not have the best start to the season, picking up just one win in their first four games.

Their striker Nikola Kalinic came close to securing his team’s second win of the season by scoring 2 goals against newly promoted Salernitana, which proved not enough as the game ended 2-2.

FotMob Rating – 8.7

Striker – Victor Osimhen (Napoli)

Potentially one of the biggest growers this season, in terms of performance levels, might be Napoli’s striker Victor Osimhen.

The Nigerian international banged in a brace against Sampdoria and now has 3 goals to his name in the Serie A goalscoring charts. Osimhen also created 2 big chances against Sampdoria despite only completing 11 passes (69% pass success).

FotMob Rating – 8.9

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