TF90M’s Italian Football Correspondent, Marzia Hazra, returns with her views on the young Juventus star Sebastian Giovinco
The performances displayed by Sebastian Giovinco throughout the season have allowed the Bianconeri faithful to sigh a breath of relief at having found a natural heir to club icon Alessandro Del Piero. The youngster has expressed his desire to remain with Juventus despite alluring offers from other top European clubs and one day hopes to captain the team of his hometown.
The pint-sized playmaker is blessed with outstanding technical skills, lightning speed and excellent passing and playmaking abilities. He has earned the nickname “Formica Atomica” due to his short stature but what does that matter when he has brought a new meaning to the phrase “pure talent”. The 22-year old has shown maturity well beyond his years and the willingness to adapt to different positions which also makes him a very valuable player to any coach.
Sebastian Giovinco, who was born in Turin on January 26 1987, showed an early interest in football and landed a trial with Juventus at the age of 14. The youngster impressed during his years in the Juventus youth academy and quickly rose through the ranks as he embarrassed the older players while excelling on every level.
The Turin native was an integral part of the youth team that won both the Campionato Primavera and the Torneo di Viareggio in the season of 2005/2006.
Juventus spent the following season in Serie B as a result of the Calciopoli scandal. It was also during the club’s Serie B stint that Giovinco made his debut in the first team. The attacking midfielder came off the bench against Bologna on May 12, 2007 and marked it with an impressive assist to teammate David Trezeguet.
Less than a month later, on June 1, Giovinco earned a call-up to the Italian U-21 side against Albania by Azzurrini manager Pierluigi Casiraghi. True to his habit he once again marked a debut by providing an assist, this time to Robert Aquafresca who scored the only goal in the game.
When the Bianconeri returned to the Italian top flight the club decided to let the rising star go on loan to Empoli, with another fellow youth product Paolo De Ceglie, to gain experience while the club tried to establish themselves in the top once more. Giovinco quickly turned into a big fish in the Tuscan side’s small pond and it didn’t take long before the clubs around the peninsula knew of the rising young starlet.
The Atomic Ant broke his Serie A duck on September 30, 2007 when he scored the match winner against Palermo. But it was his memorable equalizer against Roma that raised the eyebrows as he bagged a stunning free kick goal to steal a point at the Olimpico in Rome. The following summer Juventus summoned the youngster back to Turin. But before he headed back to his hometown there were several national duties to be handled.
The Juventus playmaker played a vital part in the Toulon Tournament where he was voted ‘The most valuable player’. He was also part of the Italian team that participated in the 2008 Olympic Games where he scored two goals – one of which a sublime 30 yard blast against Honduras – before the Azzurrini were knocked out in the quarterfinals against Belgium.
The expectations on Giovinco ahead of the 2008/2009 season were sky high after the magic he had showcased during his loan spell at Empoli and the summer’s national duties. On December 7, 2008 the player scored his first goal in the Juventus shirt by curling a free kick into the top hand corner against Lecce – a goal that must have made captain Del Piero immensely proud.
The playmaker soon became a fan favorite in the Stadio Olimpico but despite his quality performances he is rarely given the chance by Juventus manager Claudio Ranieri who has opted to go with the Czech fury, Pavel Nedved.
When given the rare start Giovinco has proven countless times why he is considered to be one of Europe’s brightest prospects, but unfortunately the little dynamo has spent the majority of the season warming the bench.
The Bianconeri playmaker has been impressive during his outings and has at times has been the only creative force in a Juventus team that has looked short of ideas. The Juventus tactician has received very harsh criticism at times for his handling of Giovinco.
Several European clubs has been knocking on the door but despite the very limited amount of playing time he has received since his return, he still wants to stay with Juventus and help lead them to glory. There is a good reason to why Sebastian Giovinco is viewed upon as one of Europe’s most exciting youngsters and it’s a real shame that he’s spending so much time on the bench instead of the field where he truly belongs.
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