Serie A: Defender of the season so far
In the years gone by, Italian teams were renowned for their impregnable defences. So much that Italian defensive tactics were given the name ‘Catenaccio’ literally meaning ‘door-bolt’. There were times when Italian teams would score a single goal and spend
the rest of the game defending the precious lead, succeeding most often than not.
However, owing much to the physicality of the evolving modern game, defence is no more an art. The concept of sweeper or libero has all but disappeared from the modern game. In such a dark era, some of the defenders stood out for all the right seasons.
Bettor.com now singles out the outstanding defenders in Italy for praise before giving out the verdict on who is the standout performer amongst them.
Candidates
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thiago-Silva-c34903
When Milan acquired the Brazilian in 2008, many expected him to be another Brazilian defender; plenty of power and Brazilian flair with little defensive nous. Needles to say the Brazilian has been a pleasant surprise.
Silva is the complete defensive package. Pace, power, tackles, aerial ability and a trait most modern defenders lack; exceptional reading of the game, Silva possess all. The fact that Silva has managed to overshadow a legendary Nesta this season is an accomplishment
in itself.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Giorgio-Chiellini-c14963
The future of Azzurri defence is improving with each passing season. This time around, the crooked-nosed defender has added the ‘leadership’ card to his Arsenal. Donning the esteemed captain’s armband on numerous occasions, Chiellini has been a real leader
at the back.
Il Capitano Futuro’s blossoming partnership with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Leonardo-Bonucci-c22064 means manager Luigi Del Neri can sleep with ease at night, or during matches.
Philippe Mexes
The stylish Frenchman has rediscovered himself this season following two seasons of mediocrity. Along with his Les Blues place - Raymond Domenech’s dictatorship was overthrown finally – Mexes has reinstated himself as the primary defender alongside the Brazilian
Juan.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roma-c31603 must tie the defender with a long-term contract as Mexes’ contract will be over in June. Interest from Barclay’s Premier League outfits has been reported and should Gilarossi lose the 28 year old defender, it will be a step in the wrong direction.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Andrea-Ranocchia-c5708
While Ranocchia was one of the best defenders in peninsula last season playing for newly promoted Bari, his latest spell with parent club Genoa – Rossoblu co-owned ‘The Frog’ with Inter Milan – has been even more impressive. The new http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alessandro-Nesta-c4735 has
earned a move to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 Milan. Ranocchia will switch to San Siro for a reported 12.5 million Euros; a deal that evaluates Ranocchia at 25 million Euros – hefty price for a 22 year old defender.
Andre Dias
It’s not every day you get to see a 31 year old player arrive from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Brazil-c2858 and if that player is a defender, it’s really hard to believe. Lazio paid a measly 2.3 Euros for this rock and needless to say, hes worth every penny of it.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lazio-c39775 have conceded just 16 goals this season and credit must go to André Gonçalves Dias for his superb organisational skills and excellent game reading ability.
Verdict
Thiago Silva gets the Bettor.com vote for best defender of the Serie A season so far. The fact that the Rossoneri full backs are the team’s Achilles heel, and Silva has to run across the pitch covering up for their blunders adds even more glitter to Thiago
Silva’s accomplishments.
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