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There is no association football league in the world that values defenders as much as Serie A.
The Italian top-flight has long made defending its cornerstone, with clubs participating in the division spending hefty sums of money to strengthen their backline more than anything else.
So it's not surprising to see the league's folklore replete with some of the greatest ever defenders. A combination of marquee imports and the emergence of talented young players has kept the age-old tradition going.
Of the current group of defenders, these five particularly stood out in the recently concluded 2020/21 Serie A season:
#5 Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan)
He may not have won many popular awards outside of the San Siro, but Alessandro Bastoni was a fixture in Inter Milan's resolute backline. The Nerazzurri conceded the least number of goals in Serie A this season, showcasing tremendous courage and reliability which are rare traits for a young defender like him.
The 22-year-old passed the ball around with incredible accuracy, registering over 90% success. He also read the defensive side of the game brilliantly as he averaged over two clearances per game. Bastoni still has huge room for improvement and could become a mainstay in the Nerazzurri's backline for years to come.
#4 Juan Cuadrado (Juventus)
How much difference a year can make! At the end of last season, the Juventus faithful wanted him sold, but now Juan Cuadrado is one of the most valuable players in the squad. This is the outcome of a terrific individual campaign which saw him become Juve's creator-in-chief.
He provided 19 assists in all competitions, including 10 in Serie A, helping set up some important goals along the way. The Colombian also scored twice against Inter Milan on their penultimate matchday which kept their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League alive.
#3 Robin Gosens (Atalanta)
Atalanta's Robin Gosens has been a revelation this season, playing for one of the most exciting teams in recent Serie A history. Due to his side's topsy-turvy form and better options available, Gosens only makes third place on the list.
Atalanta are a side packed to the rafters with formidable attacking players. Despite this, the 26-year old has carved a niche with 11 goals (third-most in the squad) and six assists (fifth-most in the squad) in Serie A. Gosens displayed his insane quality over the course of the season, whilst also transforming into a more dynamic player.
#2 Theo Hernandez (AC Milan)
Any discussion of the best left-backs in the world would naturally circle around Theo Hernandez. The Frenchman has become an indomitable force with AC Milan and capped off another stellar campaign that saw him play an instrumental role. They finished the season in 2nd place in the table - the Rossoneri's highest finish in Serie A in a decade.
With seven goals and five assists, he's the most prolific left-back in all of Europe's top-five leagues. Theo Hernandez repaid the club's faith with solid performances and has the potential to become a key player for Milan on the left side of defense for years to come.
#1 Achraf Hakimi (Inter Milan)
Just when you thought his performances couldn't get any better, Achraf Hakimi broke the glass ceiling with the Nerazzurri. Antonio Conte refined his talent by deploying him to a more advanced wing-back position, from where he scored seven times and made nine assists in Serie A this season.
The Moroccan's tireless runs down the flank brought a new dimension to Inter's attack. It helped pull defenses out of position for the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez to attack down the middle, whilst also shouldering the mantle of set-piece duties with class.
He's widely considered the world's best wing-back already. Despite interest from abroad, the Moroccan made his intention to stay in Milan very clear after Sunday's final game with a viral gesture.
