Serie A Best Fantasy XI – Round 22

Alex Meret (7 points): a decent number of clean sheets in this round as well, but it was pretty clear who the top goalkeeper was as the Napoli youngster got the call just a handful of minutes before the Juventus clash due to a late injury to David Ospina and delivered a fantastic performance, denying the mighty opponents time and time again even when they managed to shoot from point-blank range. His best save came on what was basically a tap-in by Cristiano Ronaldo on a corner kick.

Gianluca Mancini (7 points): Roma stymied Udinese with ease thanks to a tidy display by all three defenders, who did not suffer for the absence of Chris Smalling. The ex-Atalanta center-back showed up on the other end as well, setting up an easy header for Jordan Veretout with a surprisingly feathery cross.

Amir Rrahmani (5 points): the Napoli defense could have easily struggled with both starters Kostas Manolas and Kalidou Koulibaly sidelined, but Nikola Maksimovic and especially the former Verona man stepped it up and furnished a very physical and diligent performance.

Nicolas N’Koulou (5 points): he has gotten his mojo back after the hiring of Davide Nicola since Marco Giampaolo had weirdly thrown him to the side and he is repaying the trust of his coach with the leadership and the muscularity of his best days.

Davide Zappacosta (5 points): he was one of the only bright spots in a rock fight between Torino and Genoa, where both teams were so careful in not exposing themselves, as he galloped up and down the flank at will and could have easily come up with an assist had his teammates been more clinical.

Jordan Veretout (9 points): after a terrific start and seven goals, he had faded in the fantasy game due to a prolonged slump. He surely snapped out of it in the Udinese match, putting together a brace thanks to a header on a timely cut and the usual clutchness from the penalty spot.

Nicolas Viola (4 points): he was at right place at the right time to nudge the ball home against Benevento on a fumble by Lukas Skorupski, but he did it in stylish fashion with a back-heel flick where he exhibited his feel for the goal. Injuries have held him back in the first portion of the season, but he is finally blossoming.

Adam Ounas (4 points): the move to Crotone, on top of better health, has breathed new life into him as he is now one of the featured players for his side and he has put his whole repertoire filled with dribbles and technical plays on display in the last two matches. It was all for naught but he bagged a lovely goal versus Sassuolo, as he humiliated Federico Peluso on open space, putting him on the ground with a hesitation move before beating the goalie.

Romelu Lukaku (9 points): he padded his stats with another brace, as he converted a PK and was quick and deadly on a lucky ricochet that set him perfectly in front of the goalie. His best play came on the assist through, as he ripped off a devastating run, where Marco Parolo just could not stop it, but kept the lucidity to gently slip it to Lautaro Martinez for the easiest of goals.

Francesco Caputo (6 points): the veteran has rounded into shape and tallied his third goal in the last month from the penalty spot, plus he was credited with a generous assist for passing it to Domenico Berardi before the teammate successfully weaved through defenders and slotted it through.

Luis Muriel (4 points): Atalanta had major troubles finding ways to perforate the Cagliari back-line that was on a good day, but the super sub extraordinaire did his thing once again, zigzagging through opponents with class and smashing it home for his 13th goal of the season.

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