Top Ten Serie A Players of 2009/2010
After another Italian Serie A campaign which saw Inter Milan claim another Scudetto, this year's top ten is inevitably dominated by players from the Nerazzurri but there were a few surprises this season. Overall though, there have been some exceptional players this time.
At number ten we have Lucio from Inter Milan with 31 appearances, 1 goal and 1 assist. The Brazilian centre-half proved his quality following his summer move from Bayern Munich. He added experience, steel and aerial power to Inter's defence and helped them to the direction. Then there’s Javier Zanetti from Inter Milan at the number nine spot, with 37 appearances and one 1 assist.
Inter's exceptional 36-year-old Argentinean captain was crucial to his club's Scudetto this term. Winning balls in midfield, breaking up opposition attacks at left-back and setting up his own moves forwards, Zanetti was a genuine star and inspiration this season.
Next we have Julio Sergio from AS Roma with 30 appearances. The Brazilian enjoyed a tremendous campaign for Roma who pushed Inter for the title. Given his chance by Claudio Ranieri, Julio Sergio made countless stops to save Roma's bacon on many occasions. At number seven was Ronaldinho from AC Milan with 36 appearances, 12 goals and 14 assists. Overlooked by Brazil, Ronaldinho pushed his case all campaign showing he is reborn in Italy with his wonderful dribbling and creative style overwhelming many Serie A defences.
The sixth spot has been given to Douglas Maicon from Inter Milan with 33 appearances, 6 goals and 11 assists. Yet another Brazilian, Maicon was brilliant this term with his driving runs forward. Magnificent in attack, with six goals and 11 assists, Maicon (arguably the world's best wing-back) was always diligent in defence. Next there’s Fabrizio Miccoli from Palermo with 35 appearances, 19 goals and 8 assists. The tricky Sicilian front-man inspired Palermo almost into the UEFA Champions League with 19 goals and eight assists in attack. A constant handful for defenders in Serie A, Miccoli's magic was the catalyst for Palermo's charge up the table. His talents deserve to be part of the Champions League next season, unfortunately that's not to be.
At number four we have David Pizarro from AS Roma with 31 appearances, 2 goals and 8 assists. The little Chilean was arguably the best midfielder in Serie A this season, helping Roma push Inter all the way with his crafty work in the middle of the park. Pizarro's dancing feet and playmaking ability constructed plenty of goals for Roma this term. 'Pek' pulled the strings at the heart and decided Roma's tempo in a fine campaign which shows he's truly arrived in Italy. Next there’s Antonio Di Natale from Udinese with 35 appearances, 29 goals and 6 assists. It was quite an exceptional season from Di Natale – booting 29 goals - for a team who battled to avoid the drop. Di Natale scored more than half Udinese's goals this term and was probably responsible for their survival in the top flight. The Italian striker proved clinical and very dangerous on counter-attacks and deserves credit for a superb season.
At the number two spot is the great Wesley Sneijder from Inter Milan with 26 appearances, 4 goals and 6 assists, an outstanding season from another of Jose Mourinho's summer acquisitions, Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder.
The Netherlands international was at the heart of Inter's success this term, with his creativity and hard-working style. His brilliant free-kicks also came in handy on numerous occasions as well while his playmaking unlocked plenty of Serie A defences. And lastly, with the number one position is the very talented Diego Milito from Inter Milan with 35 appearances, 22 goals and 4 assists. Inter's replacement for Zlatan Ibrahimovic did more than fill the void. People knew Milito, who arrived in Milan from Genoa, could score goals, but he scored the crucial goals which guided the Nerazzurri to three titles including another Serie A crown. 'The Prince' proved himself a world-class striker for Inter, with his strike on the final day against Siena clinching the title. He memorably also scored the crucial goals in the UEFA Champions League and Coppa Italia.
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