Serie A Team Of The Decade

The 2010s finally came to an end and it is safe to say that Serie A didn't have the best of decades. With eight straight Scudetti (and counting) to Juventus’ name, it was a decade dominated by the club from Turin.

Nevertheless, the Italian league is still one of the most exciting leagues in the world. Many amazing players showcased their talent in Serie A this decade and there are many contenders for each position. That being said, it is essential to note that consistency and overall impact makes a greater case for a shot in the team. Having won eight Scudetti in a row, a lot of players in the Team of the Decade are from the Bianconeri.

Without further ado, let's have a look at our Serie A best XI of the last decade:

Formation Used: 4-3-1-2

Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon

The goalkeeper of this team had to be Gianluigi Buffon. One of the greatest shot-stoppers of all time, the 41-year-old has been consistent throughout his decorated career.

Gianluigi Buffon has won seven Scudetti in the past decade alone. The Italian was a part of the Serie A Team of the Year five times, while he was also named Player of the Season in 2017, at the age of 39. With clean sheets in 124 out of 253 games, the Italian had a staggering 49% clean sheet record making him the best in the last 10 years.

While there has been a decline in the past three years, he has been one of the five best keepers in the world for the majority of the decade. Only Samir Handanović comes close but Buffon was the obvious choice. Cat-like reflexes, exceptional shot-stopping ability, bravery, and his leadership makes Gigi Buffon our Serie A goalkeeper of the decade.

Right-Back: Christian Maggio

It is surprising how Serie A has been short of top full-backs over the last 10 years. Not the most exciting choice in the world but Christian Maggio emerged as the leading candidate for the right-back position.

With two Coppa Italia to his name, Maggio had a brilliant decade with Napoli. He was selected in the Serie A Team of the Year for the first 3 seasons of the decade and the Italian also bagged the Supercoppa Italiana in 2014.

Honourable mention to Stephan Lichtsteiner who was also a contender for the right-back position.

Center-Back: Leonardo Bonucci

If you remove his one disastrous season at AC Milan, Bonucci has had a flawless decade. The Italian has been a key player for Juventus and was a part of seven Scudetto-winning sides, even winning Serie A Player of the Year in 2016.

Stepping out of the backline and showcasing his ball-playing abilities is what separated him from the other two centre backs of the famous 'BBC'. Leonardo Bonucci also holds the record of having won the most games (212) and having kept most clean sheets as a defender (134) in Serie A this decade.

Center-Back: Giorgio Chiellini

It is safe to say that there is a good argument for Chiellini being the best Serie A player of the decade. The 35-year-old has featured in over 500 matches for Juventus and won 16 major honours for Juventus in the last 10 years.

Chiellini played a massive role in every single one of the Bianconeri's eight consecutive Scudetti. The Italian was also the part of Serie A team of the year 4 times in the last decade. He's the perfect mix of brains and muscle one would want in their team; a complete monster on the field, and an absolute gentleman off it.

Left-Back: Alex Sandro

Despite not having some of the individual honours of his defensive partners, Sandro has over 170 appearances in the last five years and has bagged four Scudettos for his work for Juventus.

Strong on the ball and always ready to dribble, the full-back has given consistent performances over the years for the Turin club. His fiercely competitive nature and strong physical game make him an asset for almost any club in the world.

Regista: Andrea Pirlo

If there was one transfer that changed the entire view of Italian football, it was of Andrea Pirlo joining Juventus on a free transfer.

Pirlo was at the heart of the game no matter what formation Juventus used. His ability to control the pace of the game and his legendary vision made him one of football's classiest architect. Four Serie A Team of the Year appearances and a hattrick of Serie A Player of the Year shows how spectacular the Italian Maestro was in his time in Turin.

Central Midfielder: Radja Nainggolan

While he has had his share of controversial drama off the field, there are few more dynamic footballers in the world than Radja Nainggolan. He has been a great servant to the game and has given his all whenever he has taken the field, be it for Roma, Inter Milan or Cagliari.

His willingness and ability to press opponents off the ball and also his aggressive tackling and stamina make him a hard-working and versatile midfielder. The Belgian was part of the Serie A team of the year for 4 years straight and deservedly makes his place in the team of the decade.

Central Midfielder: Miralem Pjanic

Easy on the eye and a class act, Miralem Pjanic is one of the most elegant players in world football at the moment. He came to Italy as a young prospect and his marvellous 5 seasons with Roma earned him a move to Juventus.

The Bosnian has been the architect of Juventus' league dominance. After his transfer, Pjanic has made the Serie A team of the year for fours years straight. He has been described as an old-fashioned playmaker with huge technical qualities. A world-class midfielder whose work-rate enable him to play in several midfield positions

Longevity and first-team football in Serie A is what edges Pjanic over the likes of Paul Pogba, Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio.

Central Attacking Midfielder: Marek Hamsik

A team of the decade without this guy would just not seem right. Marek Hamsik doesn’t really get the affection he deserves but Serie A fans know how big of legend Hamsik is, especially for Napoli.

The talented, elegant, and technically gifted playmaker made the Serie A team of the year 3 times during his time at Napoli. The Slovak was also directly involved in the most Serie A goals in the 2010s: thanks to his 74 goals and 69 assists.

It is no doubt that Marek Hamsik will go down as one of the finest players ever to play in the Serie A.

Striker: Antonio Di Natale

It is incredible how despite already being 32 at the start of the decade, Antonio Di Natale was crowned Serie A's top scorer in 2010 and 2011 and has more goals than anyone in this decade.

His tally of a staggering 125 goals despite retiring in 2016 is absolutely unbelievable. Di Natale also made the Serie A team of the year 3 times in his career.

The Italian was a great natural goal scorer and did the most with the limited service he had. His commitment and loyalty to Udinese cost him the chance to win trophies but has made him a respected and beloved character in Italy.

Striker: Gonzalo Higuain

The Argentine might be a forgotten man of sorts after his failed loan spells at AC Milan and Chelsea but he has had an amazing time in Serie A in the last decade.

His record-breaking season of 36 goals is one which will be remembered by all Serie A fans. A move to Juventus in 2016 saw him win two league titles. His half-season at AC Milan was disappointing but that does not take away the fact that Gonzalo Higuain was absolutely lethal in his time in Italy.

Higuain is third in terms of goals scored over the last 10 years, with an incredible 118 in just 195 appearances.

Honorable mentions for the striker position include Ciro Immobile, Fabio Quagliarella, Mauro Icardi, and Dries Mertens.