Like La Liga in Spain, Italy's Serie A returns to action this weekend, so we take the time to analyse the league's All Star XI up to now based upon WhoScored ratings.
As many as 8 sides are represented, indicating the tight nature of a league that reigning champions AC Milan top on goal difference ahead of unbeaten Juventus. Conti's rejuvenated side, however, have more players in our XI than any other side with 3, while Milan are the only other side with more than one player in the line-up.
Goalkeeper
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus) - WhoScored rating - 7.18
It is perhaps unsurprising that veteran keeper Gianluigi Buffon makes our XI, between the posts for a Juve side that have kept clean sheets in half of their Serie A matches this season (8), conceding just 11 goals in the process. In 14 appearances this term he has made 37 saves and 10 good high claims, proving as masterful as ever as the Old Lady's last line of defence.
Full-Backs
Ignazio Abate (AC Milan) - WhoScored rating - 7.09
Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus) - WhoScored rating - 7.40
AC Milan right-back Ignazio Abate has played 13 times this season and his tackling has been excellent in the back four, leading the way for the leaders. A figure of 3.3 is accompanied by 1.7 interceptions a match and 2.6 clearances, while he has only been dribbled past 0.4 times per game to earn an average rating of 7.09 - the lowest in our XI.
Giorgio Chiellini has reverted back to a familiar left-back role this season, making 9 appearances at full-back having started every game for Juventus so far. The Italian has shone, making 3.9 interceptions a match as well as 5.8 clearances. His average of 2.8 tackles is still excellent but the lowest of our back-four, though he leads the defence when it comes to blocks (0.5), and has also been dribbled past just 0.3 times a match.
Centre-Backs
Hugo Campagnaro (Napoli) - WhoScored rating - 7.47
Lucio (Inter) - WhoScored rating - 7.46
Hugo Campagnaro has been a revelation in Serie A this season, and all at the age of 31! His defensive expertise have helped Napoli to a decent defensive record, playing from the left of a back-three. His superb average of 4.4 tackles per game is the best of our XI, while 3.2 interceptions a match shows an astute reading of the game. Averages of 6.4 clearances and 0.4 blocks have helped the Argentine to a WhoScored rating of 7.47 - the best of any defender in the league.
Lucio's WhoScored rating of 7.46 is made all the more impressive due to the fact that he has played in an Inter side that struggled for much of the beginning of the campaign. His experience means that he interprets opposition attacks so well to make a remarkable 4.5 interceptions per game, while he also leads our backline in terms of clearances (8.8).
Wingers
Jonathan Biabiany (Parma) - WhoScored rating - 7.37
Stevan Jovetic (Fiorentina) - WhoScored rating - 7.57
Former Inter wide man Biabiany has often been overshadowed by teammate Sebastian Giovinco this season, but he is effectively going about his business on the wing to complete more dribbles per game than any player in the league (3.7). Appearing in all of his side's games this season, he has provided 3 assists for teammates from 1.5 key passes per game. The Frenchman has also netted two goals from just 1.3 shots per game but has also impressed defensively, with 1.4 interceptions a match.
Stevan Jovetic has returned from injury and hit form almost straight away this season. Not short on confidence; the Montenegrin has attempted a huge 5 shots per game - the most in the league - from a wide striker berth. He has bagged 7 goals in return and also picked up 2 assists from 1.3 key passes per game. A further 2.6 successful dribbles a match has led the 22-year-old to a WhoScored rating of 7.57 - the second best in Italy.
Central Midfielders
Daniele De Rossi (Roma) - WhoScored rating - 7.47
Claudio Marchisio (Juventus) - WhoScored rating - 7.43
While much has changed at the Stadio Olimpico since the arrival of Luis Enrique, Roma captain Daniele De Rossi remains the side's integral player. Playing from even further back this season, and even in defence, the Italy international has made 3.6 interceptions per game to break up opposition play. His 88.1% pass accuracy is fantastic and ensures that Roma's possession football is effective, in the most part, while he has also contributed with 2 goals and 2 assists despite playing as the deepest man on the pitch during many of his appearances.
Claudio Marchisio has been in phenomenal form in the first half of the season and is finally being played in his favoured centre-midfield position having had to play deep and wide left for much of last season. The new Juve boss' faith in the 25-year-old has been rewarded with 6 goals already, from 2.5 shots per game. Marchisio isn't shirking his defensive duties though, with 2.2 interceptions per match and an assured 84.7% pass accuracy leading him to a rating of 7.43 from WhoScored.
Forwards
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (AC Milan) - WhoScored rating - 8.25
Antonio Di Natale (Udinese) - WhoScored rating - 7.52
Far and away the top rated player in the Serie A according to WhoScored this season; Zlatan Ibrahimovic has began with a bang, netting 11 goals already - a tally only bettered by surprise package German Denis. The Swede has attempted 3.7 shots per game but perhaps more surprisingly leads the league when it comes to key passes with 3.3 per match. The chances he has created have somewhat unfairly only led to 2 goals for others, but add in an average of 1.5 successful dribbles per game and it isn't hard to see why he is so far above the rest in the ratings.
Joining the imposing figure of Ibrahimovic up front is hardened pro Antonio Di Natale, who it seems will continue to score goals when his pension and bus pass arrive. With 10 this season he is Udinese's main goal threat by some distance having mustered a massive 4.7 shots per game. He is also a superb creative force for his team though, with 2.4 key passes per match almost unheard of for a lone front man.
