Serie A

A GUIDE TO THE BEST DEFENDERS OF THE 24/25 SEASON

Bastoni was awarded as the league’s best defender for the second year running, showing his incredible level reached under Inzaghi. Together let’s discover who stood out for their defensive leadership, vision and ability to make a difference in attack.

In a campaign that saw defences take centre stage, the Serie A 2024/25 season had many high level defenders prove themselves on the big stage, modern in their style and hard work, but also faithful to the Italian tradition based on rigorous marking, reading the game and top positioning.

One name stands out: Alessandro Bastoni, who was awarded the Best Defender Prize for the second year running, is a symbol of an evolving player. One goal, five assists, 22 key passes and 91% passing accuracy: Bastoni was the most complete and influential defender this year. Still part of the Inter backline, he was Simone Inzaghi’s player with the most minutes in all competitions. He is the centre-back with the most assists (five) and, among players with at least 10 crosses from open play, he has the highest percentage of goals at the end of them (43.8%). His interpretation of the role makes him a very complete modern defender, able to read the play and get involved in attack. He is one of the best players in Europe and a perfect symbol of the new era of centre-backs.

Another player who had a massive impact was Alessandro Buongiorno, who immediately stood out under Antonio Conte having recognised his leadership skills at the back. He is a phenomenal marker and unbeatable in individual duels. The ex-Torino captain guaranteed cover and compactness after the Azzurri’s poor loss against Verona. He started 15 games in a row, however his season was interrupted by two unfortunate injuries (lumbar fracture and adductor problems). Despite this, with 22 appearances and one goal, he is one of the most reliable Italian centre-backs of the year, as well as a valuable pivot in the Azzurri’s Scudetto set-up.

Coming to Lazio, Nuno Tavares didn’t need very long to get fully immersed in Serie A. The Portuguese full-back surprised everyone with an outstanding impact: two assists on his debut against AC Milan, and eight assists in his first two months in Italy. His physicality, drives and audacity have made him a constant threat down the left wing. However, a recurring thigh injury, and difficulties with muscle pains, had a major impact on his season, stopping him from fully reaching his maximum explosiveness. And yet, despite only making 23 appearances, he ended the season with most successful dribbles (49) and third for shots attempted without a goal (28), proving his impactful attacking instinct that just needs slight refining. Alongside Bastoni, there are two other solid and reliable defenders, who are synonymous with their consistency. They are Evan Ndicka and Amir Rrahmani.

Roma’s Ivorian defender was one of only two players to have played every minute in the league (3420 minutes played, just like Baschirotto), setting the record for most successful passes in his own half and for percentage of tackles won of anyone with over 30 attempts (81%). Ndicka guaranteed consistency and tactical execution in a defence that often faced heavy pressure.

Rrahmani, on the other hand, was one of the main men in Europe’s best defence (only 27 goals conceded) thanks to his top positioning and technical precision. Napoli’s Kosovar lead the record for most touches (3195), total passes (2769) and successful passes (2521). Dominant in the air (third for duels won), he embodied Conte’s defensive philosophy together with Giovanni Di Lorenzo, himself amongst the most tackles won (44). ****

With football constantly evolving and rewriting the role of a defender, the art of assists is becoming more important than ever, above all for full-backs. Players are not only simple defensive blockers, but creators of plays able to threaten in the final third. One of the best players at this is Raoul Bellanova, with 9 assists for Atalanta, second only to Lukaku (10) and first of any defenders. In the last 20 seasons, only three defenders have ever done better in a single season: Maicon (11 in 2009/10), Pablo Armero (10 in 2011/12) and Massimo Oddo (13 in 2005/06).

Another surprising name finished the season on eight assists: Aaron Martín, a standout player for Genoa. The Spaniard became the first Rossoblù to get at least eight assists in the league since 2014/15. However, his impact isn’t limited to assists: he has the best record for tackles won (47) and he is second in terms of chances created (65), only behind Pulisic. In a Genoa side that has rediscovered their identity and solidity under Vieira, Martín was a key force in securing cover and quality in the backline. The others in the top 5 for assists were Federico Dimarco and Tommaso Augello, a producer of seven for Cagliari. This is a figure that no player from the Sardinian capital has managed since Nainggolan (seven assists in 2019/20). Parma’s Emanuele Valeri also deserves a mention with six assists, a target that no Gialloblù player has managed since Kulusevski back in 2019/20 with that dazzling spell (eight).

In terms of goalscoring defenders, Denzel Dumfires stands out as a true battering ram for Inter. The Dutchman scored seven in the league, and eleven all season, with five assists. His record as an attack-minded defender makes him one of the best in the whole of European football. The last defender to do better was Robin Gosens in 2020/21 with 12 goals in all competitions. Just behind the Nerazzurri full-back is Cagliar’s defender Nadir Zortea on six, and Gosens, now at Fiorentina, on five. Of the most dynamic defenders, Dodô is certainly up there, as the player with most successful dribbles (52) and most ball recoveries (183), but also the most ball losses of any outfield player (544). In terms of players able to drive up the pitch Sam Beukema, Pierre Kalulu and Rrahmani all come to mind, and exemplify defenders not limited to sitting back, but more so creating by getting upfield. (Photo Getty Images)