Serie A Team of the Season, starring Lautaro, Zirkzee & Pulisic

Carlo Garganese

• 26 May 2024 16:21 CDT
• 6 min read

Inter Milan stormed to the 2023-24 Scudetto, clinching the Serie A in April and finishing the campaign 19 points clear of rivals Milan in second.

Naturally, the Nerazzurri dominate our Serie A Team of the Season, although Milan, Juventus, Bologna, Atalanta and Torino are also represented.

Our team lines up in a 5-3-2 formation.

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Yann Sommer (Inter)

When Inter sold Andre Onana to Man Utd last summer and replaced him with a 34-year-old Yann Sommer the overwhelming consensus was that Inter had massively downgraded.

After all, Onana had been arguably the best goalkeeper in the Champions League last season, keeping the most clean sheets in the competition as Inter reached the final.

However, the opposite has been true. Sommer has been the best goalkeeper in Serie A, keeping more clean sheets than anyone else in Europe’s top leagues, Inter have also conceded less goals than any other team in Europe’s big leagues.

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Benjamin Pavard (Inter)

Denzel Dumfries was probably the best right wing back in Serie A during the first half of the season, with numerous goal contributions.

However, Dumfries fell away with injury problems after Christmas and he has his place taken in our team by Pavard.

The France international has proven to be a brilliant signing after arriving from Bayern Munich for €30 million.

The complete defender, he has been equally brilliant defensively as he has been in constructing the play and using the ball. A class act.

Bremer (Juventus)

Bremer was the best defender in Serie A during the first half of the 2023-24 season.

Juventus conceded only 11 goals in 17 games before Christmas (four of them in one match) and the undoubted star of the backline was Brazilian centre back Bremer.

This led Juventus to an unlikely title challenge, although they fell away badly in 2024.

Bremer’s form dipped also but he remained a key player for Juventus and produced a brilliant performance in the Coppa Italia final against Atalanta as he lifted the trophy.

Alessandro Buongiorno (Torino)

Alessandro Buongiorno has been the pillar of a Torino team who have kept the second most clean sheets in Serie A this past season.

Playing in the middle of a back three, Buongiorno has the most interceptions in Serie A this season, and ranks in the top 10 for tackles, clearances and aerials won.

In terms of consistency he has probably been the best defender in Serie A in 2023-24.

He is wanted by a number of top clubs ahead of next season, including Inter and Milan.

Riccardo Calafiori (Bologna)

Riccardo Calafiori has been a massive breakout star in Serie A this season.

Having grown up as a left-back at Roma, Bologna coach Thiago Motta has masterfully converted Calafiori into a left-sided centre back.

The 21-year-old has been a colossus at the back for a Bologna side who miraculously qualified for the Champions League.

Physically impressive, aggressive and excellent in the air, Calafiori reads the game well and is fourth in Serie A for interceptions. He is also very good on the ball bringing the ball out and joining in the play further up the pitch.

Juventus are keen on signing him for next season.

Federico Dimarco (Inter)

Federico Dimarco has probably won the Puskas Award for this year with a truly sensational lob from the halfway line against Frosinone in November.

This is not the first time and won’t be the last time he scores a wondergoal as Dimarco now boasts arguably the best left foot in European football.

He may lack pace and dribbling ability but Dimarco’s use of the ball, his progressive passing, crosses and set-pieces are simply world class. He contributed six goals and six assists in 2023-24 from left wing-back.

Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter)

Hakan Calhanoglu has been the best midfielder in Serie A this season, running the show in almost every game he has played.

Ever since being moved by Simone Inzaghi into a deep-lying position, Calhanoglu has been a revelation and arguably an upgrade on the departed Marcelo Brozovic.

His passing, long-range shooting, penalties and set-pieces are as good as it gets and he has 15 goals and three assists in 2023-24, and is the best penalty taker in the league.

Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta)

Teun Koopmeiners has been the best midfielder in Serie A this season after Inter’s Calhanoglu.

The Dutchman has scored 15 goals and delivered seven assists in all competitions.

Capable of playing as an attacking midfielder, deep-lying midfielder or as a mezzala, Koopmeiners’ left foot has been a joy to behold this season.

He has played a key role in Atalanta’s charge to the Champions League, and journeys to the final of the Coppa Italia and Europa League.

Koopmeiners has publicly stated he desires to leave this summer, but he will not come cheap at over €50 million.

Juventus have made him their top target to strengthen their midfield and are considered the favourites to sign him.

Christian Pulisic (Milan)

Christian Pulisic has enjoyed a very productive first season at AC Milan since joining last summer from Chelsea for €22 million.

He has 12 Serie A goals for the season - all of them from open play. Only three players in total have more Serie A goals from open play than Pulisic; Lautaro Martinez, Dusan Vlahovic and Marcus Thuram.

Pulisic has 15 goals in all competitions and has also contributed nine assists.

He has been Milan’s most consistent player in an up and down season.

Lautaro Martinez (Inter)

Lautaro Martinez has finally exploded into the world class attacker that everyone has long expected him to be.

This season, the Argentine has been unstoppable with 24 goals, making him the league’s top scorer and the winner of the Capocannoniere crown.

His partnership with Marcus Thuram has been almost telepathic at times as Inter have stormed to the Scudetto.

His only disappointment was in the Champions League as he underperformed during the last-16 exit to Atletico Madrid, missing a penalty in the shootout defeat.

Joshua Zirkzee

Bologna’s star man, Joshua Zirkzee has emerged in 2023-24 as one of the most exciting young attackers in Europe.

He has been the key man in their incredible fairytale journey to the Champions League.

The 22-year-old, who has a €40 million buyback clause at Bologna which is valid only for Bayern Munich, has scored 11 goals and delivered six assists this season.

Standing at 6ft 4in, Zirkzee is a giant of a striker who is expert at holding up the ball and bringing others into play. He is strong at protecting the ball with his back to play, but he is also excellent technically, boasting quick feet and able to move out of tight spaces.

Due to his blend of height, strength and technique, Dutchman Zirkzee has been compared by some to Sweden legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

A host of Europe’s biggest clubs want to sign him for 2023-24.