Serie A‘s sides were back in action on Wednesday as teams played their first competitive matches for the calendar year of 2023, and on Matchday 16, league leaders Napoli saw their lead cut to five points after a 1-0 defeat to Inter.
AC Milan are second after winning 2-1 against Salernitana, Roma just needed the solitary goal to beat Bologna, and Spezia held Atalanta to a 2-2 draw.
Elsewhere, Lecce earned a shock 2-1 win at home to Lazio, and Sampdoria registered just their second win of the season after defeating Sassuolo 2-1.
Here is the Serie A Team of the Week for Matchday 16 of the 2022/23 season, which is deployed in the 4-3-3 formation. Let us know your thoughts!
Serie A 22/23 – Matchday 16 Team of the Week
Emil Audero – Sampdoria
The Blucerchiati goalkeeper was made captain against Sassuolo and he led by example. Made some crucial saves, intercepted crosses, and knew when to run off his goal line at the right moments.
Milan Skriniar – Inter
Produced a measured performance in defence and limited the attacking threat of Napoli left-winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Samuel Umtiti – Lecce
The Salentini earned a surprising victory at home to Lazio and the French international’s experience was valuable for his teammates.
Chris Smalling – AS Roma
Limited the attacking threat of Bologna striker Marko Arnautovic and he also made a crucial block from Niklas Pyyhtia in the dying minutes of the game.
Tommaso Augello – Sampdoria
A formation change by Blucerchiati coach Dejan Stankovic prompted the Italian left-back to play further up the pitch and he played a decisive part by scoring the second Il Doria goal against Sassuolo.
Nicolo Barella – Inter
Looked fresh after the World Cup hiatus and Christmas break, providing plenty of energy in the Nerazzurri midfield and displayed some exquisite touches on the ball.
Sandro Tonali – AC Milan
Although the Italian midfielder played well throughout the match against Salernitana, he need just 15 minutes to settle the result. Supplied the assist for Rafael Leao to open the scoring and then he scored the second Rossoneri goal.
Lorenzo Pellegrini – Roma
Scored the only goal of the game against Bologna from the penalty spot and he was often providing the link between the Giallorossi midfield and attack.
Federico Di Francesco – Lecce
Came on at half-time and turned the game around against Lazio. One of his shots turned inadvertently into an assist for Gabriel Strefezza and then he assisted the winner for Lorenzo Colombo.
M’Bala Nzola – Spezia
Supplied the assist for the first Aquilotti goal, which was scored by Emmanuel Gyasi, and he doubled his team’s lead in the dramatic draw against Atalanta.
Rafael Leao – AC Milan
The Salernitana defence could not handle his pace and trickery, and he opened the scoring after dribbling around new Granata goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.
