31 December at 14:00
The first half of the 2018/19 season is now over, with Juventus finishing it on top of the Serie A table with 53 points. Nobody had reached such a tally in a twenty-team championship before. Behind Juventus, there is Napoli in second and Inter in third. While the fight for the fourth spot includes many teams, including Lazio, Roma and AC Milan. The Italian editors of UEFA.com took stock of the first round of Serie A and created a top 11 of players who most distinguished themselves during the first part of the season.
Goalkeeper
Alessio Cragno (Cagliari)
Explosive and with excellent reflexes, the 24-year-old never ceases to amaze with the shirt of Cagliari: 25 goals collected in the first 19 games and many crucial performances for the team of Rolando Maran, which closes the first part of the season in 13th place. Certainly one of the most talented Italian goalkeepers of the league.
Defenders
João Cancelo (Juventus)
The absolute protagonist in this first part of the season with the Bianconeri, the Portuguese has demonstrated and confirmed his potential: technique, speed, crossing ability. Much more than a fullback for the winning battleship led by Massimiliano Allegri.
Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli)
The Senegalese centre-back is confirming for the umpteenth season that he is the backbone of the Neapolitan defence, and certainly one of the most solid power stations of Serie A and all of Europe.
Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus)
If Juventus boasts the best defence of the championship with just 11 goals conceded, much of the credit goes to Chiellini. A season so far perfect. And the captain’s band seems to have given him further strength and security.
Aleksandar Kolarov (Roma)
An absolute guarantee for the Giallorossi left wing, not only in the defensive phase: the four goals scored in the 13 games played – his personal best in Serie A – prove all his effectiveness even during the attack phase. So much experience and leadership at the service of the new ‘young’ Rome.
Midfielders
Miralem Pjanić (Juventus)
A point of reference for Massimiliano Allegri’s midfield, the Bosnian proved to have grown a lot in the last season with the Bianconeri.
Marcelo Brozović (Inter)
The Croatian is an irreplaceable piece in the tactical chess of Luciano Spalletti. Great at dictating the pace of play, recovering balls but above all with an enviable passing quality that allows Inter to better attack the depth.
Allan (Napoli)
A complete midfielder. Carlo Ancelotti cannot do without his midfielder ‘handyman’ who guarantees balance and compactness to the Partenopei. His convincing performances, not surprisingly, earned him his debut in October with the Brazilian national team.
Forwards
Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
A goal machine, also for Juventus: the insatiable Portuguese champion closes the first round of the top scorers with 14 goals in 19 games. Reliable finalizer but also assist-man: five of those made in Serie A in these first months.
Mauro Icardi (Inter)
The Nerazzurri captain, the Inter symbol of Luciano Spalletti, confirms himself to be ruthless and relentless in front of goals goal: 9 goals scored in 16 games played in the first round. A generous bomber, who also sacrifices himself for the team.
Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli)
An incredible talent moved from outside to a more attacking position by Carlo Ancelotti, scored seven goals and packed five assists in this first part of the season. Always at the center of the Neapolitan offensive action, Insigne lives one of his best seasons with Napoli.
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