Leo Østigård

Key strength: Aerial dominance

Defensive anchor

In a Genoa CFC side perched in 12th place in Serie A—just clear of the relegation mire—Norwegian centre-back Leo Østigård has become one of Italian football's most improbable attacking weapons. The 26-year-old defender has racked up 4 goals and 1 assist across 20 appearances this season, a stunning return for a player valued at €10 million whose day job is keeping the ball out, not putting it in. With 1,654 minutes played, Østigård has been a mainstay in a Genoa squad riding decent form (WWLWD in their last five), blending defensive grit with genuine set-piece menace. His aerial dominance makes him a nightmare on corners, while his ball-playing ability allows him to initiate attacks alongside creative talents like Albert Gudmundsson (75) and Morten Frendrup (72). Despite the physical toll, he's shown discipline with only 3 yellow cards. As Genoa push to build breathing room above the drop zone, Østigård's unique cocktail of defensive steel and goal threat makes him indispensable to their survival fight.