Serie A: Team of the Week - Gameweek 4
Pepe Reina was instrumental in Napoli’s victory
The Serie A season entered its fourth round and was dominated by three teams as Roma and Napoli continued their perfect starts with key wins, and Inter recorded biggest victory in Italy for seven years.
The week saw Fiorentina maintain their impressive start to the campaign whilst Verona threatened to cause an upset at Juventus.
The Napoli men recorded a 2-1 victory in an eventful game and feature most in the Team of the Week.
Goalkeeper: Pepe Reina, Napoli
Pepe Reina achieved something nobody else had ever managed in senior football, saving a Mario Balotelli penalty to help his Napoli side to a victory at San Siro.
The Spaniard was superb, also having made a show-stopping finger-tip save from another Balotelli blockbuster. He could however, do nothing about Balotelli’s tremendous goal.
His experience in both domestic and European stage could prove vital if the Azzurri are in the hunt for trophies at the end of the season.
Centre back: Miguel Britos, Napoli
The central defender stole in and headed home the opener and continued to be dominant in the air throughout.
The Uruguayan appears to have settled in well with Raul Albiol forming a promising defensive partnership, and it was Albiol’s assist that helped Britos score.
Against Milan he coped with the runs of Balotelli and showed good determination to score the opening goal.
Centre back: Gonzalo Rodriguez, Fiorentina
The Argentine international has become a leader at the back for Vincenzo Montella’s Fiorentina.
The former Villarreal man communicates effectively with his teammates, and has a knack for predicting forward runs. It is said of him that he rarely gets beaten in a one-on-one situation.
All these attributes were on display in the away game against Atalanta this weekend, as Fiorentina came out 2-0 winners.
Left back: Federico Balzaretti, Roma
A powerhouse at the back and kept Lazio’s left flank from causing any real trouble.
He also gave Lazio a few hiccups himself on several occasions, running forward as he burst into the box and struck with a dangerous volley.
He stood true to his attacking instincts from his left back position, combining technique with good tactical awareness.
Right back: Nicolas Frey, Cheivo
The 29-year-old French right-back made two decisive tackles and kept his opposite team, both in defense and midfield, under control throughout the match.
He also assisted in the opening goal for his team as his perfect pass allowed Sergio Pellissier to score in the 2-1 win against Udinese.