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From the Desk

Strikers and attacking midfielders hogged the headlines this weekend as the Italian top flight witnessed a deluge of goals.

By Vincent Lai

Francesco Totti, Ronaldinho, Alberto Gilardino and Clarence Seedorf are just a few of the names that shined in the 13^th round of Serie A football this weekend as many teams just did enough to secure all three points in the lead-up to the winter break.

Dida - AC Milan

The reason why a goalkeeper who conceded three goals got onto the TOTW is... he didn't let in a fourth. The Brazilian custodian pulled off many a stunning save in the match, where just another goal would have changed the complexion of the game against Cagliari entirely.

Martin Caceres - Juventus

Showed his versatility by adapting himself well to the right-back position. Crossed the ball to Fabio Grosso for Juve's only goal of the game.

Fabio Grosso - Juventus

Marshaled the left flank well, and overlapped whenever the chance arose. The left-back displayed his tireless motor as he started a move from the back, then proceeded to sprint all the way into the penalty area to poke the ball home from close range.

Andrea Mantovani - ChievoVerona

The centre-back was unlucky to be on the losing side, playing with ten men after Luciano was given his marching orders. He did, however, score Chievo's goal that led to an uncomfortable ten minutes for Sampdoria and defended solidly for the entire match.

Giulio Migliaccio - Palermo

The part-time central defender scored for the hosts early in the match, being the Rosanero's fox-in-the-box as he slammed the ball into the back of the net from a goal-mouth scramble in the fourth minute.

Esteban Cambiasso - Inter Milan

Cambiasso was the complete midfielder for one afternoon as he stopped the Bologna attack in its tracks in Inter's own half, then turned playmaker in the attacking half as he provided defence-splitting passes for his team-mates. Cuchu even scored a goal in the 72^nd minute to round out a near-perfect performance for the Serie A leaders.

Clarence Seedorf - AC Milan

The veteran midfielder rolled back the years as he played with a vigour and pace that is not always present in his repertoire these days. He hardly wasted possession and played within the flow of the game, and scored the opening goal for the Rossoneri in their 4-3 win over Cagliari.

Francesco Totti - AS Roma

Roma found out what they were missing as Totti banged in three goals in his return for the Lupi. The Giallorossi captain scored all his goals in the first 28 minutes of the game, the first with a penalty, the second from a set-piece, and the third by pouncing on an opportunity just inside the penalty area. Who says the guy is crocked?

Ronaldinho - AC Milan

'Dinho was a sight to behold in the second half of the Rossoneri's clash against Cagliari. His 45-minute opus at the San Siro was reminiscent of his displays with Paris Saint Germain and the early days of his Barcelona stint, full of deft flicks and mazy dribbles. The Brazilian playmaker also assisted in Milan's third, and scored the fourth goal from the spot.

Jeda - Cagliari

The Brazilian striker was unlucky to be on the losing side this time around, having provided two goals in his effort to steal a point for the Islanders. The Rossoblu will need such production from the 30-year-old on a consistent basis if they are to maintain their spot in the top half of the table.

Alberto Gilardino - Fiorentina

Another striker to be on the losing side of things, with La Viola narrowly losing to Parma 3-2 on Saturday, Gilardino scored on two incredible looping headers to keep Fiorentina in the game, but a 67^th minute Davide Lanzafame goal left Fiorentina ruing missed chances after the game.