2017/18 Serie A Review: Team of the Season
At the end of a fascinating Serie A campaign, we at The Sportsman have selected our Team of the Season, honouring those players who have shone brightest throughout 2017/18. Lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, this starting XI – plus one or two honourable mentions – reflects upon the star performers over the course of the last year.
Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
The Brazil No.1 became first choice at AS Roma following the end of Wojciech Szczęsny’s loan spell and the club did not look back as Alisson delivered incredible displays on a weekly basis. He recorded 17 clean sheets and only conceded 28 goals in his 37 appearances, while his tally of 107 saves ranked 8th among all Serie A goalkeepers.
Right Back: Elseid Hysaj
A key figure in Maurizio Sarri’s attacking style, Elseid Hysaj delivered everything the Napoli boss could ask for from a full-back, even filling in on the left when opposite number Faouzi Ghoulam was injured. He was alert defensively and worked tirelessly to get forward and join in their excellent possession-based build up play, qualities that have seen him singled out as a potential candidate for a high profile move this summer.
Central Defender: Milan Skriniar
While neighbours AC Milan suffered another difficult campaign, Inter finally secured a return to Champions League football after a six-year absence. Others may get the credit for their marked improvement, but they owe much of their success to a vastly improved backline led by Milan Skriniar who was unquestionably one of the best buys of the season.
Central Defender: Kalidou Koulibaly
Much like Skriniar, the performances of Kalidou Koulibaly are overshadowed by his attacking team-mates, but he too was solid throughout 2017/18, repeatedly getting the better of his opponents while also weighing in with a crucial goal to win at Juventus Stadium. His consistency – and that goal against the Bianconeri – saw him get the nod here over Medhi Benatia who was otherwise excellent.
Left Back: Aleksandar Kolarov
Deemed surplus to requirements at Manchester City, Aleksandar Kolarov quickly proved his worth at Roma, weighing in with three goals and 11 assists while also working hard defensively. His prowess at set pieces was undeniable, while his tireless running and energy were a constant bonus for the Giallorossi.
Central Midfield: Jorginho
Maurizio Sarri brought an incredible swagger to Napoli, but it is arguable that none of it would’ve been possible without Jorginho. The Brazilian-born midfielder once again led all Serie A players in terms of passes completed, his final tally of 3197 seeing him finish more than 200 completed efforts more than anyone else. Always available to receive the ball and constantly moving, he was impossible to mark and dictated the tempo of every match he featured in.
Central Midfield: Miralem Pjanic
Juventus struggled throughout the season for consistency in central midfield as the likes of Sami Khedira, Blaise Matuidi and others struggled to match the quality the side boasts in other departments. The one exception was Miralem Pjanic, whose passing, set piece prowess and superb long-range shooting left him head and shoulders above his team-mates as he weighed in with seven goals and nine assists from his deep-lying playmaker role.
Right Wing: Douglas Costa
An absolute live wire whenever he received the ball, Douglas Costa was arguably the difference maker in this year’s title race. He scored six goals and registered more assists (12) from open play than any other player in the league despite only making 18 starts and playing a total of just 1793 minutes. Unmarkable.
Attacking Midfielder: Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
Absolutely central to Lazio’s ultimately failed bid to secure Champions League football, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has gone from unheralded midfielder to potentially a €100 million+ player this summer, with the World Cup perhaps set to increase his value further still. Playing in a variety of positions and constantly delivering match-winning performances, he was instrumental in everything positive about his team this season.
Would be a huge addition to the midfield if it goes through
#MUFC
Left Wing: Ivan Perisic
While Lorenzo Insigne wore down as the season came to a close and others – such as Simone Verdi, Matteo Politano and Paulo Dybala – were wildly inconsistent, Inter’s Ivan Perisic was excellent throughout the entire campaign. Always an outlet for what was at times a disjointed midfield, he was a danger to every opponent and a constant source of goals both for himself and others in a team lacking creativity elsewhere.
Striker: Mauro Icardi
Finishing level with Ciro Immobile on 29 goals, Mauro Icardi was utterly lethal this season. He was responsible for a staggering 44% of Inter’s league goals this season, a tally which included a match-winning triple against AC Milan and the vital penalty that got them back into the Champions League deciding game with Lazio. Crucial.
