Stats Analysis: More Serie A Surprises - Aerial Superiority

Unlike other leagues, Serie A is not commonly associated with great headers of the ball, even among its defenders. While England and English football bring to mind classic number nines and lumbering central defenders, Italy is more readily thought of for bringing culture to the game and beyond the artistry of play-makers such as Gianni Rivera and Giancarlo Antognoni, even the peninsula's defenders are seen as smooth operators. Even though for every Gaetano Scirea and Franco Baresi there is a Claudio Gentile or Marco Materazzi waiting to scythe down an attacking player, these stereotyped views are hard to break, embedded as they are in the way people view football.

Looking at the aerial prowess of players across Europe only serves to reinforce the opinion however, as Giulio Migliaccio is Italy's first entrant on the list in fourteenth place. He sits behind at least two players from each of the continents other four top leagues, England leading the way with four Premier League players ahead of the Palermo defender. Among Serie A's top twenty exponents, thirteen are defenders which is no surprise as the majority of strikers in Serie A clearly prefer to have the ball at their feet.

There are of course a few exceptions and, using the statistics available to everyone on WhoScored.com, we bring you the five strikers who are best described as 'good in the air'. It is a list of largely unknown players, although one very famous international star has found his way into the top five headers of the ball.

5. Jonathan Biabiany (Parma) 2.1 duels won per game

Perhaps the most surprising name on the list is the former Inter and Sampdoria player, more comfortable using his speed on the wing rather than battling in the air. However for the Frenchman, who stands just 5'9" (1.75m) tall, it is just one more thing he is doing well this campaign given that he is playing well enough to currently hold a place in the WhoScored.com Serie A Team Of The Season. He is averaging a rating of 7.2 for his performances this season and is the second most successful dribbler in the league.

4. Miroslav Klose (Lazio) 2.2 duels won per game

Now that's more like it, a 'proper' striker and the kind of player more readily associated with winning a header. The only player to have scored at least four goals in three different World Cups, the German needs no introduction and the speed at which he has settled into Italian football - 11 goals and 4 assists in 20 league appearances - is further testament to his undoubted quality. Four of those goals have been headers too.

3. Andrea Caracciolo (Novara) 2.3 duels won per game

Another classic centre forward, the 30-year old Caracciolo found playing time in Genoa was going to be almost impossible and took the chance to move to Novara. Stuck as he was behind both Alberto Gilardino and Rodrigo Palacio with the Grifone, the switch sees him at his seventh different top flight club but he has already begun to show the form last seen with Brescia. His aerial prowess has improved along with his playing time, indeed since moving to the Biancoazzurri he has actually won a superb 3.8 aerial duels per game.

2. Germán Denis (Atalanta) 2.6 duels won per game

Long time leader of the scoring charts in Serie A, the former Napoli striker has since been overtaken by Antonio Di Natale and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in recent weeks. Even so, his 12 goals - only three of which have been headers - represent a fantastic return for a player whose previous best return in Italy was the eight he netted for the Partenopei back in 2008-09. Key to the Bergamo clubs impressive start to the season, his prolific run looks like being enough to see them remain in the top division next season.

1. Cyril Théréau (Chievo) 3.5 duels won per game

If seeing 28-year old Frenchman Théréau top this list is a surprise, the fact his average of 3.5 is actually better than any other player in the league is equally shocking. The 6'3" (1.9m) striker has four goals this season but it is interesting to note all have come courtesy of his right foot and not his head [insert own 'nice touch for a big man' cliche here].