He was inexperienced at the time. Maybe not used to it. Probably was illegal drugs though. I would say the use of legal and illegal drugs was and is more common in Italy than other European leagues.
Well Vidic is out injured, but Chiellini, Thiago Silva, Nesta, Puyol & Sakho at the bare minimum are better defenders. Form wise Barzagli could arguably be the best.
I don't get how Barzagli and Benatia are runner-ups for defender of the year and fall behind Nesta and Ranocchia in the pecking order for the team of the year.