Following a final weekend which saw several clubs' destinies only decided in the final minutes of the campaign, Serie A has concluded its entertaining and wildly unorthodox season.
Certainly, 2020-21 may be remembered as the strangest in living memory - in which clubs' passionate tifosi were forced to watch from home while end-to-end goalfests became commonplace and the longstanding order was finally reshuffled.
Inter usurped old rivals Juventus as champions of Italy - after their San Siro-sharing cousins Milan had first threatened to do so during a compelling first half of the season - as eight clubs ultimately pulled clear of the rest to fight it out for the European places.
Though the Scudetto winners represent the very definition of team ethic - despite a talented, well-paid squad Antonio Conte's Inter tended to run harder and finish stronger than any of their opponents - there were also numerous stand-out individuals on display across the peninsula.
Their efforts in routinely delighting us, therefore, must be rewarded with recognition, as these are the players that have us off our seats; sending us into a frenzy of tweeting, sharing and excitedly discussing their latest limelight-grabbing performances. Undoubtedly, too, there are many men who go under the radar - often due to employment at an unfancied club or playing in a less glamorous position - but should earn our admiration to an equal extent.
Here, then, Sports Mole undertakes the tough task of condensing this spectacular league of talents into just one 11-man side - with honourable mentions making up the well-stocked bench of our 'Gli Invincibili' (The Invincibles).
Goalkeeper: Wojciech Szczesny
© Reuters
One of the most important roles to occupy in any team, there has been little to choose between several contenders for the number one jersey - particularly in such a goal-filled campaign, filled with defensive calamities.
Helping Juventus to concede the second-fewest goals in Serie A, the Poland international justified his status as the highest paid goalkeeper in Italy (earning a reported £5.6m a year) by exhibiting the anticipation, reliability and distribution he has become renowned for in the latter part of his career - meanwhile keeping the challenge of legendary gloveman Gianluigi Buffon at bay.
The 31-year-old former Arsenal stopper may see his supremacy at Juve challenged by the summer arrival of a new pretender to his crown, but would not be short of suitors if the club decide to listen to offers for his services.
Honourable mentions: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Andrea Consigli, Bartlomiej Dragowski
Right-back: Achraf Hakimi
© Reuters
The very model of a modern-day wing-back - we are cheating a little here by squeezing him into a back four - Hakimi supplements one of the best defensive teams in Europe by relentlessly raiding up and down the flank; giving endless headaches to opposition markers.
Seven league goals and eight assists tell the tale of a season in which the Moroccan flyer has helped Inter lift the Scudetto by hitting teams ruthlessly on the transition.
With an ever-increasing game awareness, the ex-Real Madrid man also makes lung-bursting recovery runs when required and his innate athleticism is demonstrated by some truly awesome speed statistics: enough to refute the strong claims of Davide Calabria and Juan Cuadrado - both of whom have excelled this term.
Honourable mentions: Davide Calabria, Juan Cuadrado, Danilo
Centre-backs: Stefan de Vrij, Milan Skriniar
© Reuters
As Inter's foundation stone has been their little-changed back three this year, two of that trio make our selection, having drawn praise for both their individual and collective efforts throughout 2020-21.
Undoubtedly, De Vrij's seamless combination of Dutch ball mastery and the rigorous defending in the classic Italian style has seen him become one of the most admired defenders on the continent.
His positioning, aerial prowess and abundant powers of focus until the 95th minute make the former Lazio center-back an integral cog in the Nerazzurri machine, like his similarly essential colleague, Skriniar.
Since joining Inter from Sampdoria in 2017, the Slovakian star has earned rave reviews on a consistent basis - with his contribution this year perhaps proving he is at the peak of his considerable powers.
Never the quickest of defenders, Skriniar exhibits excellent awareness and an underrated range of passing, helping his team build from the back. Partnered with de Vrij, he gives our XI a teak-tough but cultured rearguard to allow attacking talent to flourish.
Honourable mentions: Simon Kjaer, Matthijs de Ligt, Cristian Romero
Left-back: Robin Gosens
© Reuters
Seeing off a neck-and-neck challenge from Milan's Theo Hernandez, the Atalanta express train has not only reached double figures for goals this season, but also weighed in with several assists; finally establishing himself in the Germany squad at the age of 26.
Like Hakimi, the former Vitesse Arnhem man has predominantly played as a wing-back, demonstrating a sharp eye for opportunities to raid into the opposition area and earning him a final tally of 11 league goals. After all, not many full-backs are given the number eight shirt.
Now an irreplaceable part of his side's all-action formation, this year Gosens has truly showcased his undoubted attacking instincts. Allied to his impressive pressing and harrying of opponents, such gifts are sure to draw bids from some of the continent's giants in the summer.
Honourable mentions: Theo Hernandez, Cristiano Biraghi
Central midfield: Franck Kessie, Marcelo Brozovic, Nicolo Barella
© Reuters
To accommodate some more attacking talent, our midfield triumvirate - one of the most commonly-used tactical setups in Serie A - must combine pragmatism and artistry in equal measure. Neither have been in short supply in Italian engine rooms this season, so settling on the fortunate trio has caused much consternation.
All three chosen, incidentally, feature in Serie A's top eight for the most ground covered, so can certainly not be accused of lacking commitment or stamina.
The immovable lynchpin at the heart of the Milan side, Kessie has once more proven his worth as one of Calcio's most dominant midfielders throughout the campaign.
Asserting an indomitable physicality - plus his no-nonsense personality - alongside regular partner Ismael Bennacer in front of the Rossoneri defence, the Ivorian allows others to thrive by bringing his sharp anticipation and tireless pressing to the table. Not only that, but Kessie is a dead-eyed penalty taker: coolly slotting home 11 spot kicks in the league, including one that effectively sealed Milan's return to the Champions League after eight years away.
Brozovic, meanwhile, brings admirable attributes that perfectly complement his colleagues. Composed in possession and tigerish in the tackle, the Croatian has been Inter's go-to man for linking play and effortlessly changing the point of attack with one of his trademark raking balls.
With his pinpoint passing and set-piece delivery, the former Dinamo Zagreb man - bought for a bargain £5 million back in 2016 - has confirmed himself as one of the continent's current midfield maestros heading into the Euros and next year's Champions League campaign.
Adding a little impish delight and invention into our central area, Barella is generally involved in both phases of the game, but primarily does his best work in the final third.
Also a key member of Roberto Mancini's Italy squad, thanks to his consistent performances in an Inter shirt, the ex-Cagliari schemer has impressed with his relentless running and dribbling - giving opponents no time to rest.
With hindsight, Serie A's changing of the guard appeared to be underway when Inter hosted Juventus at the midpoint of the season, when the 23-year-old ran the show; providing an assist, then skillfully doubling the lead. A long future at the top beckons for one of Antonio Conte's first names on the teamsheet.
Honourable mentions: Manuel Locatelli, Rodrigo De Paul, Ruslan Malinovskyi
Right wing: Cristiano Ronaldo
© Reuters
The ultimate individual within the world's favourite team sport, many would argue that 'CR7' should not make the XI due to lack of input into build-up play and his propensity for blaming others when the going gets tough - even a desperate Andrea Pirlo finally dropped him on the final day of the season.
While both claims are valid, Juve's ageless icon has managed to rattle in 29 more goals to crowbar his way into our side, having already registered his 100th Serie A goal in an under-performing Bianconeri outfit. Even aged 36, few can still match his magisterial aerial ability and clinical nature in the penalty box.
By finishing Capocannoniere for 2020-21, he also becomes the only player to achieve the feat of leading the goalscoring charts in the Premier League, La Liga and Italy's top flight.
Honourable mentions: Federico Chiesa, Junior Messias, Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Left wing: Lorenzo Insigne
© Reuters
Leader, creative heartbeat and now chief goalscorer - there are few roles Naples-born Insigne does not fulfill in his beloved Napoli's side.
Favouring the left wing, the 40-times capped Azzurri star likes nothing better than to drift into space and lay on intricate through balls for his fellow forwards; possessing both playmaking capabilities and a powerful shot from long range.
Now nearing his thirties, Insigne has taken his game to the next level by adding a consistent goal threat: he has netted on 19 occasions this term, while hitting the woodwork a league-leading seven times too.
Far from the most athletic of players, the diminutive forward's work-rate is nonetheless unquestionable, with lightning-fast combination play and exceptional ball control helping to secure his place in our side ahead of some stiff competition.
Honourable mentions: Domenico Berardi, Hakan Calhanoglu, Joao Pedro
Centre-forward: Romelu Lukaku
© Reuters
Having risen to the challenge of reviving Inter, alongside his like-minded mentor Antonio Conte, Lukaku has helped bring the title back to San Siro by utilising his diverse range of talents.
A changed man since moving to Serie A, the Belgian striker is now to be seen diligently linking play and carrying the ball from deep, while his improved movement and slimmed-down physique have been essential in racking up 24 league goals this term.
Lukaku's creativity in the final third has also flourished thanks to his much-feted 'Lu-La' strike partnership with Lautaro Martinez, in which he can operate as either creator or goalscorer - making the pair virtually unplayable at their best.
Furthermore, a record of eight goals or assists in 10 starts against the established top seven in Serie A this season, illustrates the Anderlecht alumni's vital role in deciding the destiny of the Scudetto.
Honourable mentions: Luis Muriel, Dusan Vlahovic, Lautaro Martinez, Simy, Duvan Zapata
SPORTS MOLE'S SERIE A TEAM OF THE SEASON
