Team of the Season

Coach. Allegri (Milan) - Stamped his mark on the squad by sending Ronaldinho packing, and made a number of inspired tactical switches including deploying Boateng as a trequartista and Thiago Silva in midfield. Quickly turned a defence that was horrific in the early weeks into the best in the league. Completed home and away victories over nearest rivals Inter and Napoli at the San Paolo, in one of the game of the season. Potentially THE next great tactician from Italian football

GK. Abbiati (Milan) - Like all great goalkeepers playing in front of a formidable defence the 32 year old was excellent when called upon. Rarely made a mistake, unlike Buffon or Julio Cesar. Commanded his area and a phenomenal shot stopper

LB. Balzaretti (Palermo) - The swashbuckling full-back who looks like he's just come of the set of a Three Musketeers movie, solid defensively, phenomenal going forward

CB. Thiago Silva (Milan) - THE best defender in the World. Excelled even in Nesta's absence. A classy defender with a good range of passing

CB. Zapata (Udinese) - Beset by injuries in recent years, there's a hint of Thuram in this 24 year old Colombian who has showed the form that once made him a target for the top clubs in the league

RB. Cassani (Palermo) - Palermo's record appearance holder has been on the fringes of the Italy squad for years. Provides great balance on Palermo's right flank

CM. Boateng (Milan) - From relegation with Portsmouth to Champion of Italy in the space of 12 months. Milan's Ghanaian midfielder has given a one paced midfield some much needed speed and athleticism, weighed in with some goals - and he can dance too!

CM. Isla (Udinese) - Udinese's versatile Chilean midfielder is the nearest thing in the Italian game to Xavi Hernandes. A fantastic eye for a pass and times his runs into enemy territory to perfection. Fortunately for Udinese, he has flown under the radar so far

CM. Mauri (Lazio) - Had Lazio's captain not missed so many games with injury, they may have pipped Udinese for 4th place. Excellent at breaking beyond midfield, scores and creates in equal measure

AM. Hernanes (Lazio) - The Brazilian has been a revelation and transformed Lazio into one of the top teams in the land. An explosive shot, deadly free kicks and sublime passing ability

FW. Cavani (Napoli) - The Uruguayan Van Basten almost, almost shot Napoli to the league title. Hat-tricks against Juventus, Sampdoria, Lazio and a glut of highlight real goals including an insane back heal against Juventus. Deadly from inside and outside the box, great in the air. As complete a striker as there is in the game

FW. Di Natale (Udinese) - Serie A top scorer for the second successive year. This wonderfully gifted forward still has explosive pace at 33 and formed a deadly counter attacking partnership with Alexis Sanchez. The duo's 0-7 destruction of Palermo make news beyond the peninsula