Serie A's marks
Vladimir Jugovic (Lazio) - 6,31
Trstenik (Jug), 30-8-69
MIDFIELDER
He took awhile before being respected and appreciated in the Italian Championship.
When he played for Sampdoria he was considered a good midfielder but surely not a great champion.
However, after maturing and winning so much with Juventus, he suddenly turned into one of the most contended players around.
This season Jugovic emerged as a pivotal member of Lazio’s midfield.
His great technique, quickness and dynamism make him the perfect prototype of the modern playmaker, able to organize and inspire his own team’s plays.
Lazio’s negative last part of the season affected his performances just marginally.
Alen Boksic (Lazio) - 6,31
Alen Boksic (Lazio) - 6,31
Makarska (Cro), 21-1-70
FORWARD
A Cragnotti’s craze, Boksic arrived at Lazio in 1993, but 3 years later was traded to Juventus because of his incompatibility with Zeman.
However, as soon as Zeman moved to the other side of Roman football, Alen went back to Lazio for a lot of money.
Eriksson’s choices and Signori’s departure gave him more responsibility and confidence.
As a result Boksic finally coupled his usual, overwhelming, ardour with a brand-new consistency.
However, Lazio’s negative last part of the season badly affected his own performances either , and an unlucky injury led him to an operation to his meniscus that will prevent him from taking part in the next World Cup.
Moreno Torricelli (Juventus) - 6,31
Erba (CO), 23-1-70
DIFENSORE
DEFENDER
Torricelli is one of the untouchable members of Lippi’s Juventus.
Eclectic player, he can be lined up as a central defender or as an half-back, and sometimes he was even used as a right wing.
His physical skills and his guts, in fact, make up for his technical limits.
The same guts that brought him straight from Caratese (amateur team) to Juventus.
And 6 years later, “Geppetto” (a nickname chosen by Baggio, because before playing with Juventus Moreno used to work as a carpenter) is still there.
Now he looks to be even ready to explode with the national team during the next World Cup in France.
Alberto Fontana (Atalanta) - 6,31
Cesena (FO), 23-1-67
GOALKEEPER
His great saves weren’t enough to prevent Atalanta from falling into Serie B.
However the competition with another very good goalkeeper like Pinato, pushed Fontana to give his best and have a very good personal season.
His confidence, agility and quickness of reflex make him similar to those old catlike goalkeepers who made football so entertaining many years ago.
Lately Fontana has been improving also in coming out of goal, proving to be talented enough to stay in Serie A.
Francesco Toldo (Fiorentina) - 6,31
Padova, 2-12-71
GOALKEEPER
After winning the Under 21 European Championship with Cesare Maldini in 1994 and after making an amazing debut with the major national team in Croatia, in 1995, Francesco Toldo thought he would take part in the next World Cup in France.
However the sudden and quick ascent of Buffon prevented his dreams from coming true.
Toldo, on the other hand, can take comfort in his very good season with Fiorentina.
A season that saw him confirming his best qualities (high coming out) and, in general, improving his overall skills.
He also developed a stronger personality that quickly turned him into a real team-leader.