[Zed.D]

Calcio Debate: Alexandre Pato Stars At Milan, Sebastian Giovinco Rots At Juventus

Ahead of this weekend's big match between Milan and Juventus, Goal.com's Subhankar Mondal contrasts the fortunes of two of the brightest talents in Italian football….

AC Milan's Alexandre Pato is 19, Juventus's Sebastian Giovinco is 22. Pato is a striker, Giovinco is a playmaker. Pato is one of the best young strikers in Europe, Giovinco is one of the best young playmakers in Europe. Pato is the next big thing for Brazil while Giovinco is the heir apparent of Alessandro del Piero.

But while Pato has started 25 league matches for Milan this season, Giovinco has started only nine. While Pato has developed and matured to be arguably the best player for Milan on the pitch, Giovinco has developed to become the best player for Juventus on the bench.

Juventus versus Milan at the weekend should have been a showcase of two of the finest talents in Italian football. Instead it will probably show the contrasting fortunes of Pato and Giovinco.

Alexandre Pato

When Pato was signed by Milan from Internacional in August 2007 for €22 million, a few observers questioned the sanctity of the Duck's decision. He was only 17 and many his age who have been lured to Europe have failed miserably. Pato, though, would not be eligible to play for Milan until January 2008 due to Italian rules, and by that time he would turn 18.

Which turned out to be a boon rather than a bane for both the player and the club. Pato stayed in Milan and participated in friendly matches and learned the club's culture. Instead of being rushed onto the big stage, Pato gradually acclimatized himself to the Milan set-up and when he eventually made his Serie A debut against Napoli on January 13, 2008, he had already become well versed in the Italian style of football.

Pato ended the 2007-2008 season with nine goals in 20 matches in all competitions. His class and potential had been demonstrated to the Serie A followers and by the time the 2008-2009 campaign started, the Brazilian was Milan's first choice striker, and he was not even 19.

So far this season Pato has started 25 league matches, has made a further seven appearances from the bench and has scored 14 goals. But more than the numbers, it is the style that has been more prominent. Pato is not a 'wait in the box and then poke it in' or 'lump the ball towards me and I will nod it in' striker. He plays with a grace innate to Brazilians, and like all Brazilians has dribbling skills that would even make a stone tremble with emotions. He has ability on the ball as well as off it, and as his second goal against Roma showed in the New Year, he can run with the ball at his feet and can finish off a move with the elegance of a ballerina.

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has forecasted that Pato is going to be the best forward in the world and his progress so far merits this claim.

Sebastian Giovinco

The same cannot be said of Sebastian Giovinco, though. While Pato has been the beneficiary of an ageing Milan squad that took on-loan a finished Andriy Shevchenko in the summer and still relies on goalpoacher Filippo Inzaghi for salvation, Giovinco, in spite of his talent, has been largely neglected by Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri. The current Juve side still depends heavily upon the likes of Del Piero and Pavel Nedved, and it would be an understatement to say that Giovinco is needed.

For the non-Serie A followers, speaking in high terms of Giovinco would sound superfluous. But that he has talent and quality has long been established. Against Chelsea in the Champions League in Turin, it was Giovinco who looked the most likely player to break down the Chelsea defence when he came on as a sub.

The Atomic Ant has started just nine league matches in the league and has made nine substitute appearances, scoring twice. A versatile player, albeit physically fragile, Giovinco can play on the wings, as a playmaker and even as a makeshift striker, although he looks best as a playmaker.

Last season was Giovinco's first proper in the Italian top flight when he played for Empoli on loan, ending with six goals and four assists in 20 Serie A starts. This season, though, Juve coach Claudio Ranieri has for some bizarre reason persistently ignored him.

Not that Giovinco has played it all fair and square. During January there were rumours that the 22-year-old wanted a move out of Turin, his agent claiming that he needed more playing time. After the match against Lecce at the weekend, he barged down the tunnel in disgust, turning his back on Ranieri.

The Future

While Alexandre Pato's future looks bright, Giovinco's long term chances of making it really big seem dim if Ranieri stays at Juventus. The Brazilian will remain Milan's first choice forward next season and at 19 he can only improve; still only 22 Giovinco does have time to progress but the longer he rots on the bench, the more damage he will do to his long term prospects.

I feel sorry for Giovinco. I don't follow Juve much but I think his young teammates have had more chances to prove themselves than him. De Ceglie, Marchisio, etc. I've seen them play more than Seba this season.

This post has been edited by Zed.D: May 9 2009, 01:32 PM

[Tennie]

Marchisio has played quite a bit more, yes. DeCeglie did too until that unfortunate collision with Gargano and the collapsed lung. The current feeling among the Gobbi fans (from the snooping I've done on their board) is that Marchisio may not be the best midfielder in the world but he plays with great passion (sort of like Rino). De Ceglie they seem to prefer in midfield than as a back (they think he's worse as LB than Molinaro and they don't much like Molinaro). Giovinco is very popular and there's a good bit of frustration as to why he's not fielded more.

FWIW, all three of those kids may play against us tomorrow.

[Ro Rossonera]

(Maybe you should have a contest to name him?)

_(how?)

[Ro Rossonera]

Poor Seba, after that Lecce incident I wouldn't be surprised if this summer he looks for a move away from the club. He deserves playing time, and he's really good too. It seems that no one can figure out why Ranieri won't play him.

I say Milan swoop in (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) maybe get him to come back to the team he supported all those years ago?

[dst]

I say Milan swoop in (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) maybe get him to come back to the team he supported all those years ago?

He supported Milan?

He is good but his size is troubling.

[whoarethepatriot...]

About this whole Pato webcam incident; did Pato pull his Pato out?

[Zed.D]

About this whole Pato webcam incident; did Pato pull his Pato out?

It's probably only me but I think it's a fake and I have found some flaws in the video that back up this claim as well.

Besides, lying on bed in front of webcam is one thing, pulling out your little man (sorry (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) I don't know what to call it so it's not offensive) is another. I think those explicit scenes are edited into the video.

This post has been edited by Zed.D: May 9 2009, 05:45 PM

[MizNelson]

About this whole Pato webcam incident; did Pato pull his Pato out?

You mean his Patinho? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[whoarethepatriot...]

You mean his Patinho? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I will take that as a yes

Oh Dear, hope the embarrassment dosent kill him

[Ro Rossonera]

He supported Milan?

He is good but his size is troubling.

He did support Milan...his dad is a big milan fan!

[Tennie]

Fishdoll (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) at the patinho comment! +1 cookie!

As for the critter name, Ro, you could open up a thread in off-topic and ask for suggestions?

Fishdoll suggests that Diavolino is a nice name.

[Tennie]

(for Essie from Fishdoll)
From acmilan.com's english page - their translation

STRONG DESIRE FOR GOALS

Alexandre Pato at Udine found the Bianconeri colors on his road once again. The last time at Siena they brought him luck, as the goal he scored there remains the last one he scored in Serie A.

MILANELLO - Alexandre Pato, from Siena to Udine. The last goal of the Brazilian was on 15 March when the Rossoneri beat the Tuscan Bianconeri 5-1. Now on the road of the Milan striker there is another team with black and white stripes, so who knows if those colors might bring him luck again:

"It's true, I haven't scored for a while - Alexandre told Milan Channel - essentially I should be scoring, but in any case I am happy with the work I'm doing at Milan and I always make myself available. The one against Udinese will be a difficult match, a match we absolutely have to win to be sure of going into the Champions League. We haven't played a bad league season and it would be a good thing to finish it well in these last three games."

The Champions League is the objective, but has Pato never thought it would be possible to win the Scudetto by overtaking Inter?

"Sure I thought about it, but to be honest in several games we lost points where we could have finished them off."

In the last few games played the Brazilian champion like any footballer hoped to be on the pitch from the first minute, but Carlo Ancelotti's choices have never compromised the relationship with Alexandre:

"The coach remains the coach, I like everything about him, he's a great. We must win our next games also for him, but also for all of those who are close to us. We have to be calm and do what we know how to do, as said our objective is the Champions League. Then it's clear that I always want to play, but what player doesn't?"

Finally a thought for Ronaldinho, a team mate and friend who has not found much space recently:

"The same goes for him, he would always like to play, but in any case I see him happy. He works hard and he's always ready when called upon to play."

Was Legrottaglie's foul on you against Juve a penalty?

"Yes, I saw the ball and Legrottaglie fouled me. I was sure it would be a penalty but it didn't go like that. Next time I have to be ready in the same situation, so at least this time they do give me the penalty!"

[Zed.D]

STRONG DESIRE FOR GOALS

5/14/2009 6:20:00 PM

Alexandre Pato at Udine found the Bianconeri colors on his road once again. The last time at Siena they brought him luck, as the goal he scored there remains the last one he scored in Serie A.

MILANELLO - Alexandre Pato, from Siena to Udine. The last goal of the Brazilian was on 15 March when the Rossoneri beat the Tuscan Bianconeri 5-1. Now on the road of the Milan striker there is another team with black and white stripes, so who knows if those colors might bring him luck again:

"It's true, I haven't scored for a while - Alexandre told Milan Channel - essentially I should be scoring, but in any case I am happy with the work I'm doing at Milan and I always make myself available. The one against Udinese will be a difficult match, a match we absolutely have to win to be sure of going into the Champions League. We haven't played a bad league season and it would be a good thing to finish it well in these last three games."

The Champions League is the objective, but has Pato never thought it would be possible to win the Scudetto by overtaking Inter?

"Sure I thought about it, but to be honest in several games we lost points where we could have finished them off."

In the last few games played the Brazilian champion like any footballer hoped to be on the pitch from the first minute, but Carlo Ancelotti's choices have never compromised the relationship with Alexandre:

"The coach remains the coach, I like everything about him, he's a great. We must win our next games also for him, but also for all of those who are close to us. We have to be calm and do what we know how to do, as said our objective is the Champions League. Then it's clear that I always want to play, but what player doesn't?"

Finally a thought for Ronaldinho, a team mate and friend who has not found much space recently:

"The same goes for him, he would always like to play, but in any case I see him happy. He works hard and he's always ready when called upon to play."

Was Legrottaglie's foul on you against Juve a penalty?

"Yes, I saw the ball and Legrottaglie fouled me. I was sure it would be a penalty but it didn't go like that. Next time I have to be ready in the same situation, so at least this time they do give me the penalty!"

[6Best]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) ^^^ Fishdoll is fast .

[Zed.D]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) ^^^ Fishdoll is fast .

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) indeed!
I didn't even see it when I was posting mine! I just did!