Italy coach Pierluigi Casiraghi is keen for local media to stop comparing Empoli starlet Sebastian Giovinco with Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

Giovinco scored his first goal in Serie A in Sunday's victory over Palermo and Casiraghi said: "He has produced a great performance, I'm pleased because he's been trying for this goal for a long time.

"Is he like Messi? The Argentine is a champion already, although he is the same age as Giovinco. However they are different, they have different physical qualities, even if they are both combining their talent with their speed."