Serie A team of the season
18.5 || Seamus

Here's the Serie A Team Of The Season (4-2-3-1):

COACH: Ancelotti (Milan) – He finally won his first Scudetto thanks to some excellent intuitions and risks which paid off in the end. It's not easy having a President interfering with your job, but Ancelotti always kept his calm and took the right decisions at the end of the day.

GK: Dida (Milan) – Some of his saves this season have been highlight material. He's become more consistent and less mistake prone than before and his performances earn him the title of best keeper in Serie A.

DEF RB: Stam (Lazio) – The Dutch giant has once again been an unbeatable defender both in central and right back position. The ease with which he stops opposing attackers, and also his forward runs, make him an excellent right back solution.

DEF LB: Zambrotta (Juventus) – One of the few Juventus players who was always consistent throughout the season in a position which seems to have few quality players available in Serie A.

DEF CENTRE 1: Nesta (Milan) – Class, quality and effectiveness all combined in one. He can anticipate an opponent's move like few others making him not just Serie A's best defender but probably also in the whole world.

DEF CENTRE 2: Samuel (Roma) – One of the main reasons why Roma's defence was the least beaten in Serie A. Capello always played the Argentinean defender when he was available, even in Coppa Italia and Uefa Cup matches as he guarantees stability and security to the whole department.

DEF MIDFIELD 1: Pirlo (Milan) – Improved considerably in his defensive duties but also retained his creativeness in launching inch perfect assists to the forwards. Some of his long distance goals from this season have awed the whole Serie A public.

DEF MIDFIELD 2: Emerson (Roma) – The Brazilian captain will be one of the most sought players during the summer transfer period and that's because he can combine both quality and quantity. Had a great season with Roma and will be sorely missed by the giallorossi next season.

ATT MID RIGHT: Fiore (Lazio) – Following Stankovic's departure from Lazio, Fiore took the team in his hands and guided them to an excellent second round thanks to his wonderful plays and goals.

ATT MID LEFT: Kaka (Milan) – When the rossoneri bought this young Brazilian at the start of the season, few expected him to do so well in his first season, but Kaka proved everyone wrong with excellent performances and a maturity and experience which players at his age do not usually possess. A hot favourite for the next Golden Ball award.

ATT MID CENTRE: Totti (Roma) – Another brilliant season by the giallorossi's captain who passed his own record of goals scored in a season. All Italian fans will be hoping that he repeats his performances with the national team to guide them to the Euro Cup final this June.

ATTACKER: Shevchenko (Milan) – Serie A's top scorer and therefore rightfully deserves to be in the first eleven where he edges just slightly Gilardino. Always punctual with his goals through the season as his consistency in front of goal is impressing.


RESERVE 1: Peruzzi (Lazio) – Muscle injuries did not plague him as much as in previous years and this helped him to play a good season which will probably earn him a call-up for the Azzurri as third goalkeeper during the Euro 2004.

RESERVE 2: Maldini (Milan) – Despite of his age, he is still one of the best defenders around and it will be a huge loss for Italy during the Euro campaign as his qualities and experience would have been fundamental.

RESERVE 3: Chivu (Roma) – Had an excellent start to the season but then decreased a bit in the second part, mostly because of some shoulder problems. Still he helped Roma have the least beaten defence of the whole Serie A.

RESERVE 4: Gattuso (Milan) – Few players have his determination and even though his technical abilities are not top notch, he makes up for it with his fighting spirit and aggressiveness, thus not letting his opponents breathe or finding any space.

RESERVE 5: Mancini (Roma) – Another Roma player who had an excellent start of the season but decreased in the final part of the campaign. He still was the best assist man of Serie A and this alone makes him deserve this position.

RESERVE 6: Baggio (Brescia) – Baggio proves that quality and technical ability is eternal as he outclassed most of his younger opponents with his genius. Serie A and the whole football world lost one of a kind and it will take some time before anyone, if possible, can take his place.

RESERVE 7: Gilardino (Parma) – If it wasn't for Shevchenko's consistency he would have made it in the first eleven. He started as a sub for Adriano, yet he nearly won the top scorer award. His goals are not casual as they are all different from each other thus earning comparisons with the likes of Paolo Rossi and Marco Van Basten. A future star.

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