With only three Italian sides in the group stages of the Champions League in 2017/18, Draft Fantasy players could easily forget the importance of Serie A.

However, the likes of Juventus have a rich pedigree in the competition and all three sides are in with a shout of reaching the latter stages of the knock out part of the competition.

Champions League

Here are our top five picks from Italy:

Radja Nainggolan (Roma)

The real king of midfield in the Italian capital. Roma face a tough group, but Nainggolan’s all-round contribution will see him pick up points from the Kante rule as well as through his attacking contribution. Keen to get forward, he will often be on the scoresheet and racking up assists.

Pablo Dybala (Juventus)

Rose to fame as he sent Juventus on their way to the final last season and the Argentine forward is likely to be one of their top scorers if they do so again. Alongside Gonzalo Higuain in attack, he will contribute the majority of the Turin side’s goals as they push to reach a third final in four years.

Marek Hamsik (Napoli)

Another highly creative midfielder, Hamsik is key to Napoli’s game. The outgoing attacking midfielder is known for being partial to scoring from distance, whilst he also possesses the ability to play a killer ball to split defences and give Lorenzo Insigne and co. the chance to score.

Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)

An obvious choice, Buffon does not concede many and is bound to play every game for the Turin side. If there is a goalkeeper that you can rely upon to collect points, then it is this experienced Italian. With a solid defence in front of him too, Buffon is a safe bet in goal.

Champions League

Alex Sandro (Juventus)

An attacking wing-back in the mould of Marcos Alonso and Victor Moses at Chelsea, like the Premier League duo, he will be one of the highest scoring defenders in the game. Juve don’t concede a high number of goals, yet he will bomb down the flank and put crosses into the box.