Donadoni Confirms: Cassano is of this Earth

May 25th, 2008 | by: Ian Rose |

Everyone has their own opinions about Antonio Cassano. Some say he is just too temperamental, and that a silly red card from the emotional striker could cost Italy the title at Euro 2008. Others see only his amazing talent, and say that if he keeps his temper under control, he could give Italy a title, not cost them one. But today, Italy manager Roberto Donadoni made one thing clear. Antonio Cassano is not an alien.

“Antonio Cassano is just a lad, don’t make him into an alien” said the Don. “I believe after that heavy suspension in the league he has understood what it means to be in a group.”

All eyes will certainly be on Cassano as he joins Luca Toni, Marco Borrellio and others in an Italian strike force with high expectations. Toni in particular has had a stellar year, but only time will tell if the good form of players like Tonigol and Cassano will be enough to get Italy through the group of death, through the knockouts, and into the final. The same can be said of Cassano’s performance – hard to predict, but one way or the other, either with dazzling goals or a Zidane-like on-the-pitch explosion, there’s little question that he will entertain.

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Comments

By Matt | May 25th, 2008 at 11:15 am

Glad that is cleared up…I was worried there a little bit.

By McTalian | May 25th, 2008 at 11:39 am

We all know he’s a nutter, but I’m rooting for Cassano. He grew up poor in a Bari ghetto without a father. He comes from nothing, but his reedonculous skills have put him in headlines across the world. I think his maturity problems come from his tough background. But maybe, finally, he has learned his lesson and grown up. He was Italy’s best player in the disatrous Euro ‘04 campaign and he has potential to shine again. The way he played at Samp this year — sheeit, he beat whole teams by himself at times. I hope — and want to believe — that he is so eager to prove he’s grown up, so eager to make proud Walter Mazzari who has become a father figure to him, so eager to prove himself to all of Italy and Azzurri faithful the world over, that he might just be the tornado that swirls the World Champions through the group of death. Or maybe he won’t even get on the field ha-ha…but either way his ability and performance has earned him a right on Donadoni’s roster.
Forza Italia!

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