Welcome to Calcio Square, an email newsletter dedicated to Serie A and Italian football. Every Monday, Anthony Lopopolo breaks down the week that was in the Italian game. But today's issue looks a little different. As we wait out the remainder of the international break, Anthony picks out his best XI from the first 12 rounds of the Serie A season.

No one would've guessed this exact group of players would form any kind of XI before the season started. But it's a testament to the competitiveness of the league that there are so many outsiders in this lineup. Even 10th-placed Empoli are represented here.

In 50 words or less, I'll explain why I chose each of the following 11 players. Feel free to let me know what I got right and which player, if any, I should've included.

GK: David de Gea

What a comeback. Out of football for over a year, De Gea has looked right at home in Fiorentina's goal. He's saved two penalties so far and has the second-highest save percentage in the league at 80.6%. Michele Di Gregorio is averaging a percentage point higher than De Gea but on much fewer shots faced.

CB: Giovanni Di Lorenzo

Di Lorenzo has as many Serie A goals as Rafael Leao. That says more about the former than the latter. Di Lorenzo lost support during Napoli's miserable title defense and could've bolted. Now he's producing on both sides of the pitch as part of Antonio Conte's fluid back line.

CB: Ardian Ismajli

Ismajli is all business. You're not going to see many goals from this defender. No one in Italy comes close to his 113 clearances. Monza's Pablo Mari is a distant second with just 62. Ismajli is just unbeatable in the air. He's also third in the league with 32 interceptions.

CB: Alessandro Buongiorno

How did Napoli get this guy without a fight? Buongiorno is an incredible all-around defender with sharp instincts and a level head. He doesn't get sucked into rash challenges. He follows his man until the time is right to dispossess them. Few defenders posses that kind of self-restraint.

RM: Andrea Cambiaso

You could start Cambiaso anywhere, and he'd go off on a run and make something happen. The 24-year-old has played in no fewer than five positions for Juventus this season, splitting his time on the left and right. No one has covered more ground than him.

CM: Marten de Roon

Now in his ninth season with Atalanta, De Roon is a vital cog in Gian Piero Gasperini's goal machine, providing enough balance to keep his side from tilting too much. He blocks shots, takes turns at center-back, and circulates the ball. Sometimes he even pops up with a goal.

CM: Nicolo Barella

Barella is Italy's most consistent midfielder, an all-action player in the truest sense of the word and as good at challenging for possession as he is at creating chances. If he doesn't dominate one statistical category, it's because he does just about everything well.

LM: Nuno Tavares

Tavares is a bit of a nomad. He's played for five different teams over the last five seasons. Arsenal may never loan him out again if he builds on his impressive start at Lazio. No one in Europe's top five leagues comes close to his eight assists.

RW: Christian Pulisic

AC Milan have relied heavily on Pulisic. He scored the opener in Milan's upset win over Inter and contributed to another seven goals in Serie A. He's also shown incredible hustle in defense. He's the most consistent performer for an inconsistent Milan side.

CF: Mateo Retegui

Retegui is the first player to hit double digits in Serie A scoring this season, and he's showing no signs of slowing down. It's incredible how quickly he's adapted to Atalanta's intricate system. It's hard to knock him off the ball and just as difficult to track his runs.

LW: Ademola Lookman

Lookman is a great dribbler and lethal finisher. He doesn't need a ton of shots to get on the scoresheet like some of his peers on the left wing. He does good work outside of the penalty area, too, hassling opponents in transition.

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