Serie A team of the month: All-star front two with Icardi and Ronaldo
Goalkeeper - Luigi Sepe (Parma) - 7.76 rating
Parma only picked up one win in October but it could have been a lot more damaging had it not been for Luigi Sepe in goal. The 27-year-old made at least 11 more saves than any other Serie A goalkeeper last month (26).
Left-back: Alex Sandro (Juventus) - 8.06 rating
Alex Sandro has barely put a foot wrong over the last month, finishing October with a WhoScored man of the match award in a 2-1 win away to Empoli. The Brazil international had five shots against Empoli, more than his combined total over his previous nine league games this season (4). The Brazil international registered eight key passes in his three appearances, completed four dribbles and made 12 tackles.
Centre-back: German Pezzella (Fiorentina) - 7.43 rating
Only three teams have conceded fewer goals than Fiorentina in Serie A this season and it’s easy to see why with German Pezzella at the back. The 27-year-old was a pillar of consistency in October. In fact, not only did the Argentina centre-back complete the most interceptions (12), but only one player won more aerial duels than the Fiorentina ace (18).
Centre-back: Jose Luis Palomino (Atalanta) - 7.48 rating
After starting October with defeat, Atalanta bounced back with big wins over Chievo and Parma to steady what has been an indifferent start to the season. Jose Luis Palomino scored against Parma and was generally very busy over the course of the month. The 28-year-old made 12 tackles and interceptions combined and six clearances, while also blocking three shots and provoking three offsides.
Right-back: Sime Vrsaljko (Inter) - 7.44 rating
Inter have won their last six league games, with half of those falling in the month of October. Luciano Spalletti’s side finished the month with successive clean sheets, even more impressive when you consider they played AC Milan and Lazio. Only three Serie A players registered more key passes than right-back Sime Vrsaljko (12) last month, with Mauro Icardi benefitting from one of those in a 2-1 win over SPAL.
Left wing: Stephan El Shaarawy (Roma) - 7.55 rating
Aside from a shock defeat to SPAL, October was generally a good month for Roma and winger Stephan El Shaarawy. The Italy international finished it with a goal and WhoScored man of the match award in a 1-1 draw with top-four rivals Napoli. El Shaarawy also registered an assist in a 2-0 win away to Empoli. Overall, the 26-year-old registered eight key passes, completed four dribbles and drew eight fouls in three matches.
Centre-midfield: Lucas Biglia (AC Milan) - 7.72 rating
AC Milan bounced back from a derby defeat to Inter with two successive victories over Sampdoria and Genoa. Lucas Biglia was outstanding in the middle of the park, helping break down opposition attacks. In fact, the Argentina international made more tackles and interceptions combined than any other player in Serie A last month (29), at least five more than anyone else.
Centre-midfield: Marten de Roon (Atalanta) - 7.82 rating
Like Biglia, Marten de Roon also excelled from a defensive standpoint in midfield. The Atalanta ace won possession in the midfield third more times than any other player (25). De Roon finished October behind only Biglia for tackles won in Serie A (14) and even scored his first goal of the season in a 5-1 win away to Chievo
Right wing: Josip Ilicic (Atalanta) - 8.58 rating
Josip Ilicic is the third and final Atalanta player in our team of the month for October in Serie A. The 30-year-old is also the player of the month after playing a direct hand in four goals in three games, including a stunning hat-trick against Chievo. Ilicic finished October with successive man of the match awards. Only Cristiano Ronaldo (11) has managed more shots in a Serie A game than Ilicic this season after the Slovenia international had 10 attempts against Parma to close the month.
Striker: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) - 7.85 rating
After a relatively slow start by his high standards, Cristiano Ronaldo is now delivering on a weekly basis for Juventus. The Portugal international scored in all three of his October appearances in Serie A, racking up four goals in the process. Ronaldo’s goals were also worth four additional points for the Old Lady, helping Juventus maintain a six-point lead at the top of Serie A.
Striker: Mauro Icardi (Inter) - 8.29 rating
Inter striker Mauro Icardi scored the most Serie A goals in October. Like Ronaldo, Icardi scored in all three league games but went one better with a five-goal haul. He only required 14 touches per goal last month, significantly fewer than any Serie A player that made at least three appearances. Icardi also registered six key passes in his last two appearances, two more than his previous six appearances combined in Serie A.
