Marchisio: Giovinco needs more time

Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio has asked for new signing Sebastian Giovinco to be given time to impress.

Giovinco was stretchered off with a suspected ankle problem in the final minutes of Juve’s 2-0 victory over his former club Parma, with the injury raising concerns over his potential absence.

And such concerns have inevitably led to early comparisons with former striker Alessandro Del Pieor, who finished up with Juventus at the end of last season.

“Giovinco and Del Piero? You cannot make comparisons, we have to allow Seba to prove his worth and hope that his injury is not serious,” Marchisio told Gazzetta dello Sport.

The 26-year-old Marchisio was handed the captain’s armband for the champions’ opening fixture in the absence of both Gianluigi Buffon and Giorgio Chiellini.

“I hope to play at Juventus for a long time, with or without the armband,” he declared when asked his own future at the club.

“My attitude does not change, I would still raise my voice.”

Marchisio and the rest of the Juventus squad, however, are not under any illusions regarding the task facing them this season.

“It will be more difficult than last year because our opponents know (how we play) and will close the spaces. The team is motivated and beating opponents hinges on the fact that we come back to win.”