Even with the Azzurri tragically missing out yet another World Cup, Serie A will have one of the largest hosts in Qatar, with 67 players representing 17 different Italian first division clubs. Therefore, it’s time to recognize the league’s most glamorous ambassadors to Doha in our Best XI formation made up of Serie A players who received callups. Moreover, we’ll add a suitable backup or two for each position in order to complete a 26-man squad worthy of our beloved league.
Goalkeeper: André Onana (Cameroon/Inter)
Three of the finest Serie A custodians will be featuring for their national teams in the World Cup. Of course we’re talking about Wojciech Szczesny, who’re been collecting clean sheets for fun recently, the ever-so-reliable Rui Patricio, and new Inter signing André Onana.
The latter in particular has been on a spectacular form, easily dethroning the aging Samir Handanovic on his path towards a glorious career restoration.
It’s almost customary to have at least one African goalkeeper stealing the limelight in every WC edition, and 2022 might just be Onana’s year.
Backups: Wojciech Szczesny (Poland/Juventus), Rui Patricio (Portugal/Roma)
Right-Back: Danilo (Brazil/Juventus)
Although he’s in the process of becoming a naturalized central defender at Juventus, Danilo made his bones as a right-back, and we expect him to feature in this role for the Selecao.
The 31-year-old isn’t your prototypical Brazilian right-back. He surely isn’t the second-coming of Cafu, nor does he possess the skillset of his direct competitor Dani Alves, but he remains one of the most solid fullbacks you can find in the modern game.
Backup: Denzel Dumfries (Netherlands/Inter)
Centre-Back: Nikola Milenkovic (Serbia/Fiorentina)
In Italy’s noted absence, the Serbian national team will be the unofficial Serie A ambassador at the World Cup with an astonishingly large block of 11 players. So let’s show the Balkans some love.
In recent years, Nikola Milenkovic has cemented himself as one of the most reliable centre-backs in the Italian peninsula, catching the attention of top European sides in the process – the likes of Inter, Juventus and Manchester United.
He gets the nod ahead of Simon Kjaer whose injury woes and limited playing time hindered his status.
Backup: Simon Kjaer (Denmark/Milan)
Centre-Back: Gleison Bremer (Brazil/Juventus)
After deservedly winning the award for the best Serie A player in 2021/22 for his exploits at Torino, Gleison Bremer makes for a natural choice on the list.
Brazil national team manager Tite admitted committing a mistake by overlooking the 25-year-old, but thankfully his well-illustrated summer transfer to Juventus was enough to put him in the spotlight.
Backup: Kim Min-jae (South Korea/Napoli)
Left-Back: Theo Hernandez (France/Milan)
Surely the easiest choice on the list. After all, we’re talking about the undisputed best left-back in Serie A, and arguably in Europe.
Theo Hernandez will have a major role to play for Didier Deschamps’ men will be looking to defend their crown, and having some of the best players in the world in the world in several positions surely help their cause.
Backups: Joakim Maehle (Denmark/Atalanta), Nicola Zaleswski (Poland/Roma)
Central Midfielder: Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Serbia/Lazio)
The Serbian midfielder is one of the most fascinating players in Serie A, and those who are yet to see him play are in for a real treat, as he’ll be adamant to showcase his massive talent at the World Cup.
For his part, Lazio president Claudio Lotito is in turn praying for formidable performances that helps him justify the astronomical asking price he set on his most prized asset.
Backup: Piotr Zielinski (Poland/Napoli)
Central Midfielder: André-Franck Zambo Anguissa (Cameroon/Napoli)
If Milinkovic-Savic has the talent, then Zambo Anguissa will add some muscle in the middle of the park for our fantasy formation.
Since joining Napoli, the Cameroonian has being growing from strength to strength, cementing himself as one of the most complete midfielders in the game today.
For his part, Marcelo Brozovic was probably the toughest omission on the list. The Croatian has long been the best Regista in Italy, but his recent struggles combined with Anguissa’s incredible form cost him the spot.
Backups: Marcelo Brozovic (Croatia/Inter), Adrien Rabiot (France/Juventus)
Right Winger: Paulo Dybala (Argentina/Roma)
For this role, we had to pick one between two Argentine superstars. Now surely Angel Di Maria is the more natural winger and he’s tipped to play an important role for the Albiceleste, but as Serie A fanatics, it’s just impossible to oust Paulo Dybala.
We think Juventus and Roma supporters would agree on that much.
Backup: Angel Di Maria (Argentina/Juventus)
Left Winger: Rafael Leao (Portugal/Milan)
Now surely we can’t form a proper World Cup lineup without Mr. MVP himself.
The Portuguese is Milan’s Bona Fide top star, and it remains to be seen if he’ll be able to carve himself a place in Fernando Santos’ plans that befits his immense talent.
Backup: Filip Kostic (Serbia/Juventus)
Second Striker: Lautaro Martinez (Argentina/Inter)
Another brilliant forward who is simply indispensable in any Serie A fantasy formation. The Inter star usually operates as a second striker, but in the radiating presence of Lionel Messi, he will be the one leading the line for Argentina.
His replacement was supposed to be his own compatriot and teammate Joaquin Correa. But unfortunately for the latter, he had to pull out with an injury just a couple of days ahead of the first kickoff. So we’ll replace him with Juventus striker Arkadiusz Milik.
Backup: Arkadiusz Milik (Poland/Juventus)
Centre Forward: Dusan Vlahovic (Serbia/Juventus)
For the final spot on the list, we found ourselves facing the biggest dilemma. Neither Dusan Vlahovic nor Romelu Lukaku seems to be in an optimal physical form at the moment. Yet, their national teams couldn’t afford to leave them behind.
Even though the Belgian’s heroics in 2020/21 remain fresh in mind, he has been struggling for form and injury setbacks for the last 18 months, giving the Juventus striker a slight advantage over his colleague.
Meanwhile, Olivier Giroud’s addition is warranted, as the veteran striker continues to defy the odds and father time to consolidate his role as one of the deadliest and tactically-reliable strikers in Serie A, and he’ll be looking to lend a hand for France in the World Cup, just in case Karim Benzama and Kylian Mbappé fail to deliver.
Backups: Romelu Lukaku (Belgium/Inter), Olivier Giroud (France/Milan)
