Traditionally, Serie A has been a league touted for elite defending, and while that has led to a stereotype of Calcio being boring, the reality is that modern-day Italian football is incredibly entertaining and free-flowing from an attacking perspective.
If anything, that makes having a truly great center back even more valuable. Top clubs like Inter Milan and Juventus are always looking to load up on great central defenders, with AC Milan and Napoli finding out how valuable the position really is.
Let’s take a look at the best of the best center backs in Serie A right now in 2024.
5. Alessandro Buongiorno, Torino
Torino had the Serie A Defender of the Year – he’ll be coming up later on the list – a couple of seasons ago and now they have another highly-prized commodity on the center back transfer market.
Alessandro Buongiorno is wanted by Premier League powerhouses like Chelsea, as well as the traditional Italian football elite. The 24-year-old Italian is having a phenomenal season for Torino, so it is no surprise to see this level of interest.
With 2.3 tackles and 2.3 interceptions per game, Buongiorno has already established himself as one of the finest central defenders in Italian football today.
4. Alessandro Bastoni, Inter
A sensation since stepping foot onto the pitch as a first-team player for Inter Milan, Alessandro Bastoni was a key part of the side that reached the 2023 Champions League Final against Manchester City.
This season, Bastoni is helping Inter push for the Scudetto, with the Nerazzurri remaining favorites over Juventus despite a rash of recent injuries.
Bastoni is one of the best ball-playing center backs in the world with a delicate touch added to his lofted passes that often spring quick attacks for the Inter forwards.
3. Danilo, Juventus
Danilo is one of the most underrated players in the world right now and a massive leader for Juventus at the back. In truth, the Brazilian was always a better defender than attacker at fullback, and it’s fair to wonder why he didn’t play centrally earlier.
Thank Andrea Pirlo for converting Danilo into a center back later in his career, as he was struggling badly as a traditional right back due to his lack of pace or attacking verve.
Because of his technical quality and experience as a fullback for Real Madrid and Manchester City, Danilo adds a ton on the ball for Juventus, which takes a lot of pressure off Federico Gatti and Gleison Bremer, who are both pure defenders.
Danilo doesn’t get any mainstream credit, but Juventini appreciate how much he has improved in his new role and how much he does to make sure the players around him have easier lives.
2. Giorgio Scalvini, Atalanta
Giorgio Scalvini is one of the most highly-regarded transfer options at any position. You had better believe every single elite club in European football like PSG, Real Madrid, and Juventus are interested in signing him.
The best center back Atalanta have produced recently, Scalvini is in his second Serie A season as a full-time starter and flourishing at the age of 20.
La Dea are in the Champions League conversation, with Scalvini standing out as their best player. He is averaging a healthy 2.1 tackles and 2.1 interceptions per game in his own right.
1. Bremer, Juventus
Juventus center back Gleison Bremer is the cream of the crop in Serie A, which is a status he enjoyed throughout the 2022/23 season as a breakout star for Torino.
Now with the biggest club in Italian football, Bremer has raised his profile by becoming a real warrior at the back for the Bianconeri, marshalling some of the most impressive strikers in European football, such as Romelu Lukaku.
Bremer has the heart and athletic profile to go toe-to-toe with anyone. He’s decent on the ball, impervious in the air, and downright vicious in the tackle. Right now, Bremer is the benchmark at center back in Italian football.
The managing editor of The Trivela Effect, Kevin has 15 years of experience in digital media. He has been an editor for NFL Spin Zone, Daily DDT for pro wrestling, Autzen Zoo covering the Oregon Ducks, Musket Fire covering the New England Patriots, The Real Champs covering Real Madrid, Old Juve covering Juventus, Rush The Kop covering Liverpool, and Release The Knappen covering Schalke. His work has been featured in ESPN, Bleacher Report, Yahoo! Sports, NBC Sports, and other outlets. You can contact him at the site’s official Twitter handle @TrivelaEffect or via the site’s official email thetrivelaeffect@gmail.com.