Blog: Team of the Decade
The end of the decade is always a time for reflection. Steve Wilson gets the debate going by picking his Serie A Team of the Decade
First a warning, there may be controversy ahead. I have used a meticulous, scientific and top secret method to calculate the Serie A Team of the Decade and was surprised myself by the results, but the system is flawless and beyond question, so here goes…
In goal there can be only one contender, right? Of course, it is no surprise then that the gloves go to Sebastien Frey. The Frenchman has spent the entire decade in Italy’s top Division with Verona, Inter, Parma and Fiorentina. That he has consistently been one of the best despite mainly playing for regional outfits helps his cause, while his decision to retire from international football highlighted his dedication to the Viola.
The defence is an all Milan-Juventus affair. The centre-back partnership features two of the best defenders in the world during the Noughties, Alessandro Nesta and Fabio Cannavaro. Nesta is currently showing form that belies his years and probably only injuries have prevented his profile soaring even higher. Cannavaro, meanwhile, peaked in 2006 when he inspirationally led Italy to the World Cup and lifted the Ballon d’Or – a rarity for a defender.
Flanking that impressive duo are a veteran and a rookie. Most certainly a member of the Team of the Nineties as well, Paolo Maldini continued to defy Father Time during the decade – adding another two European Cups to his collection and his seventh Serie A title. Such is his ability he won’t mind slotting in at right-back, his original favoured position, to allow Juventus newcomer Giorgio Chiellini to join the side on the left of defence.
The formation will be 4-3-1-2, with the midfield anchored by Emerson. The Brazilian defensive-midfielder represented Roma, Juventus and Milan during the decade, helping the Giallorossi to the Scudetto in 2001. His consistently high-level performances mean he is the perfect man to sit behind Pavel Nedved and Cristiano Doni. Czech Fury’s place would never be questioned but just consider though how many times Doni has saved Atalanta if you doubt his inclusion.
In front of that trio there is really only one man to fill the hole, Roma’s Francesco Totti. Having spent the full 10 years with his hometown club he has been an inspiration to I Lupi. Often the one man to keep their title challenges on track, Er Pupone remains such a key talent that as the decade closes the clamour for him to return to the Italy team has never been higher.
How do you choose from all the great strikers we have seen in Serie A over the last decade? The first choice is easy, Zlatan Ibrahimovic may have only played for half the time but his impact at Juventus and then Inter cannot be overlooked. He won the title every year he was in Italy and earned the Nerazzurri in excess of £50m when he departed for Barcelona.
But who to partner him? Well, it came down to two names and while the sentimental may have gone for a veteran Juventino, I have chosen a man who emerged as a true talent in this decade, Alberto Gilardino.
Starting off with little Verona, it was at Parma where he announced himself – don’t forget his quartet in the 6-4 against Livorno. Life was hard at Milan but he has been reborn at Fiorentina. He has cracked the 100 goals in Serie A barrier and is closing in on a place in the Top 30 of all-time, and for me that is enough for him to snatch the final jersey.
Frey
Maldini Cannavaro Nesta Chiellini
Doni Emerson Nedved
Totti
Zlatan Gilardino
Substitutes: Gianluigi Buffon, Walter Samuel, Javier Zanetti, Kaka, Alessandro Del Piero
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Serie A team of the decade by football italia, and that guy who did it seriously need to get off drugs and be checked by a doctor for mental stability. I know everybody is entitled to their own opinion, but come on freyover buffon. Also picked freaking gilardino as a partner to Zlatan. What happen to shevchenko and del piero. He didn't even put shevchenko on the bench. Chiellini as the best left back in the decade., seriously I need to know the drugs he is using. He puts doni who is a good player in the starting eleven, while kaka on the bench. Football Italia lost all its credibility for this website with this crooked article.
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i stopped at frey
, somebody need to shoot him
