It’s not just about stars or established champions: outsiders, new talents and unexpected standout performers also play a key role in Serie A. Here are the players who have surprised fans with their performances, made an impact and grown, all whilst becom

Serie A Enilive is taking its final break of the season before the final push, therefore, it’s the perfect time to shine a light on some in-form players who, in recent weeks, have increased their performance levels, becoming key figures in their respective teams. By analysing the last five matchday’s, it can be seen that Roma (15 points), Bologna (12), Udinese and Torino (ten, like Inter) are the most in-form sides in the league, and it should come as no surprise that many of the current breakout stars belong to these clubs.

From goalkeepers to forwards, let’s take a look at some of the players who have left their mark recently in Serie A.

With an important background having played at Lyon and RB Salzburg, as well as featuring in the Champions League, Oumar Solet has proved himself to be a valuable addition to the Udinese defence, winning a PANINI Player of the Match award in just his second appearance for the side, in the match against Atalanta. 1.92 metres tall, physically strong and very quick, Solet has been used by Runjaić in every position in defence, be it in a back three or partnering Bijol in a back four. With him on the pitch, the Friulani have only recorded three defeats in ten matches, recording five clean sheets as well. At 25 years of age, the Frenchman has shown notable quality and great potential in the future, two aspects that make him one of the most interesting defensive prospects in the league.

It’s also worth highlighting Juan Miranda’s form. The Spaniard arrived at Bologna after captaining Spain to a Gold medal at the Paris Olympics. The ex-Betis man has solidified his place in Italiano’s side, making 24 appearances in the league at left-back. The Spaniard’s performances have been improving continually and his two key passes against Lazio mean that he now has six assists to his name this season, ranking first when it comes to players in his position alongside Bellanova and Valentino Lazaro. In general, he has already recorded a better tally than his three previous seasons in the league. 

One name that has gone under the radar but has come to the limelight recently is that of Ivan Smolčić. The Como right-back who started against Juventus in February, has started regularly for Fabregas ever since. The 24-year-old Croatian player who arrived from Rijeka, seems to be one of the successful bets from the Lariani’s ambitious transfer market.

They aren’t simply defenders, but the last line of defense of their team: goalkeepers. Of all the “number ones” in the league this season, Radu’s return to Serie A has been a great success. Ionuț Radu, born in 1997, and ex-Inter, Genoa, Parma and Cremonese keeper, responded to Venezia’s call in February, replacing the injured Stanković. The Romanian goalkeeper’s impact has been positive so far and in choosing to move to Venezia, he has found the ideal place to show his talent: in six appearances, he has conceded only four goals, getting three clean sheets in the process. What’s even more impressive than his record is that he has won three PANINI player of the Match awards in a row. Furthermore, last time out against Napoli, he registered his best performance in terms of saves (seven) in this Serie A season.

Another in-form keeper is definitely Mile Svilar, whose saves and leadership have made himself one of the key players in Roma’s climb up the the table. The 1999 born Serbian has upped his own performances recently, contributing to the improvement of Ranieri’s defense. Svilar has kept clean sheets in five of his last six league games, the same number of clean sheets kept by the Giallorossi in the 22 matches before this strong run. Sviliar has now got eleven clean sheets this season, only one behind league leader Sommer on twelve.

In midfield, Fabio Miretti had one of his best ever games against Lecce, scoring his first brace in Serie A after 81 appearances. His two goals, both assisted by Malinovskyi, represent the best of him so far this season at Genoa, where he has proved himself as a key player under both Gilardino and Vieira. Having played in various roles, as a wide-midfielder and as an attacking midfielder, the 2003 born player has certainly jumped in quality this season.

Cesare Casadei, a regular, yet debutant, in the league this year, has not disappointed Torino fans who were excited for the arrival of one of the most exciting talents in Italian football. The ex-Chelsea player came into his own in the game against Monza and, after a few break-through games, he managed to score against the Biancorossi, his first in the league, after an assist against Parma. His performances haven’t gone unnoticed, and he has been rewarded by a call up to Luciano Spalletti’s side.

Two other stars of Il Toro’s midfield are another new boy, Eljif Elmas, the ex-Napoli player who has scored three goals in only five appearances, and Nikola Vlašić, Torino’s number 10 who has been in top form in recent weeks.

Having arrived in the capital with high expectations after strong performances with Frosinone last year, Matías Soulè has had a bit of a transitional season as a Giallorosso this season, until his grand resurgence in recent weeks. The ex-Juventus Primavera player struggled to get playing time under De Rossi and Jurić and he scored only one goal in the first half of the season. However, as the team has grown, Ranieri has given the Argentinian talent playing time and he has repaid his manager’s faith with two goals and one assist in the space of a month, winning the PANINI Player of the Match award in two games against Parma and Empoli, both decided by two screamers: a lavish “Baggio-style” free kick against Parma (watch the goal) and the fastest goal in the club’s history in Serie A against the Tuscan side. Matías is getting everything right, winning over the fans and making himself a key player towards the end of the season.

Dan Ndoye is one of Bologna’s most-improved players under Vincenzo Italiano. He was already a protégé and important player for Thiago Motta, but this season he has taken more than a step forward in terms of goal contributions going from one goal and assist in his debut season to seven goals and three assists this season so far. Bologna’s winger has become a key, lethal player for the Rossoblù, masterfully combining dribbling and link-up with teammates with a new-found incisiveness in front of goal. With four goals and one assist in the last five games, Ndoye is one of the key parts of this Bologna side and the Rossoblù fans can look to him to make their Champions League dreams come true.

Another of his teammates who has come back into good form is Nicolò Cambiaghi, the ex-Empoli player who after a long break from first-team football has returned to the pitch in 2025. He is an attacking wildcard for Italiano, who normally comes on as a substitute to replace any of the front three, and recently Cambiaghi scored his first Serie A goal for eleven months. The 2000 born Italian winger’s impact can also be seen in his numbers (two assists and one goal) in three consecutive appearances, something that he hasn’t had since May 2023. Cambiaghi’s return is an added boost for the Rossoblù European charge at the end of the season.

One centre-forward who is currently on the ball is Nikola Krstović, who, despite Lecce’s fall in results - without a win in seven games - has scored six goals this year, reaching a total of ten goals so far (a personal record in a single Serie A season). And he has become only the second non-Italian goalscorer to reach double figures for the Giallorossi in a single season in the last twenty years after Lapadula. Leading the league in terms of shots taken (87) and shots on goal (37), the man from Montenegro is Lecce’s guiding light, keeping their survival hopes alive.

Finally, Giacomo Raspadori is truly in top form. The Azzurri forward, who replaced David Neres after his injury, has become a main man in Conte’s attack and, in the last few weeks, he has stepped up and taken the reins of Napoli’s attack. With his physical strength and technique, he is ideal to play alongside Lukaku and the ex-Sassuolo player has scored three goals in his last five outings with Napoli, as many as he managed in his previous 39 games. Even with the return of the Brazilian ex-Benfica winger, Raspadori remains a key part of the Azzurri`s side, and also of Spalletti`s national team, with games to be played in the Nations League and the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.

(Photo Getty Images)

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