Serie A Team of the Week: Matchday 3

Samir Handanovic – Inter

If Mauri Icardi had the chance to win the game against Pescara for the Nerazzurri, it is thanks to this man. The Slovenian goalkeeper kept Inter alive with a crucial save on Jean-Christophe Bahebeck first and then after the 2-1 in the final minutes.

Alessandro Gamberini – Chievo

A goal scored like a real No.9, rather than a defender. And he almost scored a brace. At the back he got absolutely nothing wrong, stopping Lazio’s firepower and making it look easy.

tefan De Vrij – Lazio

He’s back, finally. The goal is a fine addition to what was already a very solid performance alongside fellow centre back Bastos. Limited Chievo’s attack and helped Lazio return home with a point.

Faouzi Ghoulam – Napoli

The left back showed once again why Napoli will miss him so much when he travels to play for Algeria in the Africa Cup of Nations. A constant threat on the left for the hosts, delivering the crucial cross for Marek Hamsik’s decisive opener and always covering perfectly at the back. All round performance.

Jose Callejon – Napoli (2 apps)

Higuain who? At this very moment, Callejon has scored more than El Pipita (four goals) and is increasingly decisive for Napoli. The Partenopei had to find new ways of scoring after Higuain moved to Juventus, and Callejon is leading the way in showing Napoli can win even without their ex-No.9.

Piotr Zielinski – Napoli

Yes, there was Marek Hamsik scoring, and yes, Jorginho dictated play from deep like few others. But Zielinski started from the first minute as a surprise instead of Allan and what a display. Clean, skilful football going forward, calmness and solidity defending. His assist for Jose Callejon’s third is a lovely combination of technique and pace. It will be hard for Maurizio Sarri to keep him out.

Franck Kessie – Atalanta (2 apps)

Held the La Dea midfield together, providing quality in the play and constant pressure on the Torino counterparts. When it came to it, he also kept his cool from the penalty spot to give Atalanta a late winner.

Miralem Pjanic – Juventus

His debut for the Bianconeri in Serie A couldn’t have been any better. A moment of pure skill sets up Gonzalo Higuain’s opener, then he slams home the third to find personal glory. Dominated the midfield in a Pirlo-esque manner.

Gonzalo Higuain – Juventus (2 apps)

It takes him 10 minutes to win it for Juventus over Sassuolo. Strength and power for the opener, pure magic for his second. He has scored a goal every 40 minutes in his first three games for the Bianconeri. Simply the best.

Francesco Totti – Roma

The penalty he scored to give Roma the three points is just the icing on the cake of an incredible second half, where Totti came on to drag Roma out of trouble. The assist for Edin Dzeko’s equaliser was utter class, and every time he had the ball something special happened.

Mauro Icardi – Inter

The captain knows how to score, and that’s nothing new. It’s 50 goals with the Nerazzurri shirt, in just over two seasons. And against Pescara, he turned things around in the space of 15 minutes. Absolutely vital for Frank De Boer.

This article originally appeared on Forza Italian Football's website.