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Following every round of Serie A fixtures, Pulse Sports presents the most impressive performers of the matchday.
In an eventful week of Serie A action, early-season high flyers Udinese who entertained, there was an impressive upset win for Torino, and Romelu Lukaku looked unstoppable once more. Here are the finest performers of the round.
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Goalkeeper
Vanja Milinkovic-Savic (Torino)
Lazio were the form team coming into week 31 in Serie A, but they ran into a brick wall in the form of visiting Torino. Vanja Milinkovic-Savic typified their defiance –the Serbia international was excellent, making five saves and keeping a clean sheet despite facing 0.99 xG on target. In amidst that, he repelled his brother Sergej's well-struck free-kick in the 38th minute. It truly be your own people...
Defenders
Rodrigo Becao (Udinese)
It would not be overstating it to say that Udinese's first-half destruction of Cremonese was one of the most aesthetically satisfying things on show this past weekend. All that attacking verve required a solid base to build on, however. Rodrigo Becao provided precisely that. The Brazilian was a solid, aggressive presence in the back, sticking his foot in to enable Udinese break quickly and stun their shell-shocked visitors.
Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan)
Fresh from shackling Victor Osimhen in midweek (mostly, because no one can do that for an entire game, really), Fikayo Tomori was once again unflappable, befitting the Harvard-quality education in defending he's getting in Italy. His passing was a real highlight, as he led for passes in victory over Lecce, and also emerged from every entanglement clean with the ball, all the while leading talented but green centre-back partner Malick Thiaw.
Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan)
Just an all-around solid display from Stefan de Vrij at the heart of the Inter defence. The Netherlands international is a senior citizen these days, and with experience has come class. He was classy against Empoli, reliable and consistent with his passing, and defending with assurance, hardly putting a foot wrong at any point. Oh, and he hit the frame of the goal with a header from a corner. Didn't go in, but it could've...
Midfielders
Kingsley Ehizibue (Udinese)
As Udinese poured forward against Cremonese, there were moments in which Kingsley Ehizibue was simply unplayable. His quick feet had him not only blowing past people, but perplexing them in equal measure. The 27-year-old had a nice little dribble-off with the opposing left-back Emmanuel Valeri, but won the war with an energetic, aggressive display on Sunday, winning seven duels and completing three dribbles.
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Lazar Samardzic (Udinese)
It really could be all about the goal and assist for Lazar Samardzic, but the Serbian midfielder did create four chances and ping the ball about with authority and accuracy all game long, so there was a lot to appreciate here. Could have been better out of possession, in truth, as he was bypassed a little easily at times, but his on-ball quality wins him a place here. A 100% pass completion in the middle of the park is too impressive to overlook.
Nicolas Dominguez (Bologna)
Bologna may have come away from the Bentegodi empty-handed, but no one can accuse captain Nicolas Dominguez of not giving everything for the cause. The Argentine midfielder provided a consistent goal threat from midfield, and looked to be willing his team to a result almost single-handedly. Took his late consolation goal superbly, all while completing five dribbles and getting the ball into the final third 16(!) times.
Mathias Olivera (Napoli)
In a tight, tense game oozing with raw emotion, you have to get yourself a Uruguayan. I don't make the rules; it just is what it is. Mathias Olivera's first campaign at Napoli has been up and down, but against Juventus he was brilliant defensively, strong in the tackle and tenacious in the duel. Not to say he was ineffective going forward as, even though his crossing was off, he still facilitated progression into dangerous areas through passing.
Forwards
Christian Kouame (Fiorentina)
Fiorentina's defeat at Monza almost certainly out paid to any lingering European ambitions at Artemio Franchi. A shame, as Christian Kouame was one of the better performers on Sunday, even as La Viola bottled a two-goal lead. The Ivory Coast international opened the scoring with a powerful header, before setting up Ricardo Saponara for the second. His creativity was underlined by his crossing, which was mostly accurate and incisive.
Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan)
It's been quite an eventful week for Romelu Lukaku, and not for the right reasons. Fitting then that he would have his say in emphatic fashion on the pitch: the Belgium international ran riot against Empoli, scoring twice and laying on the third in Inter's 3-0 win. For all the criticism and memes, this is still a superstar striker, a fact demonstrated most especially by his second: a hammer strike of a shot after a run and a step-over.
Simone Verdi (Hellas Verona)
If Dominguez carried the flag for Bologna, Simone Verdi did the same for Verona. He created a great chance for Kevin Lasagna, worked Lukas Skorupski, scored a penalty and then towered above the Bologna defence to head home his (and Verona's) second. A complete performance filled with menace and intelligence, on the basis of which he just edged out Rafael Leao for a place in this week's selection.
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