Wednesday’s friendly between the United States and Italy sees Parma’s pint-sized playmaker Sebastian Giovinco partner up with Juventus striker Alessandro Matri in what could be a preview of great things to come. Giovinco, who is currently co-owned by Juve and Parma, is always a focus of transfer speculation and his return to Juventus continues to be talked about. If the two show an instant chemistry it may end all speculation about Giovinco’s future.

There have been few players in recent years that have had as large of a hype around them as Giovinco. Impressive for the Azzurri under 21s and Juventus youth team, many began to call him the heir to Del Piero. He was even called Italy’s version of Messi. Although a very gifted player, his time for the Juventus senior squad was marked by some great highs but more lows. Spending most of the time on the bench or playing in unfavorable positions, it seemed for every game he impressed there was another two games where he was unimpressive. The reason for Giovinco’s departure at Juventus is partly the manager’s fault. Not being able to play week-in week-out forced the Atomic Ant’s hand and he opted to move to Parma on loan and then on co-ownership. Since playing regularly at Parma Giovinco has found his form and earned a regular spot on the national side under Prandelli. He currently has 9 goals on the season, one behind his to be striking partner Alessandro Matri.

Juventus have had issues this season finding decisiveness in the attacking front. If there are any serious weaknesses in this Juventus squad, it is that there is a serious gap between the middle third and the attacking third. The Milan encounter was not the first time that the Juve strikers had difficulty creating chances for themselves and if the midfield, more specifically Pirlo, doesn’t do it then the strikers fade into obscurity. Prior to Matri’s inclusion against Milan, the cross from Chiellini was the only good opportunity that either Quagliarella or Borriello had at scoring. That is why Giovinco could fit back in.

For so many years Juventus fans watched Del Piero create amazing opportunities and if he wasn’t scoring then Trezeguet was there to do it. Not to say that Giovinco and Matri would even come close to the proficiency that was Del Piero and Trezegol but the manner in which Gio and Matri play resembles that of ADP and Trez.

Conte has already praised the playmaker this year and Giovinco has mentioned how he would return to Juve if he was given some guarantees by the club. Regardless of how the two play at the friendly the idea of these two players coming together is very exciting for a Juventus faithful.

The future is still uncertain. Giovinco may never play again for I Bianconeri and even if he does there is no way to tell if the two players will work well together. However the international friendly offers us a small glimpse at a potential Juve for next year. Seeing how Juve have lacked for creativity in the attacking third, Giovinco-Matri may be the answer.