Euro 2008 Profile: Antonio Cassano

Name: Antonio Cassano
Nicknames: Peter Pan, Talentino, Fantantonio, El Pibe de Bari
Team:Italy
Group: C; France, Netherlands, Romania
Caps (Goals): 10 (3) – as of May 21, 2008
DOB: July 12th, 1982 (25 years old)
Position: Forward/Attacker
Club Team: Sampdoria

Antonio Cassano might well be the most gifted player at the Euros; he also might be the most mentally fragile. Which is why his inclusion into the Italian squad earlier this week was such a surprise. Devoid of a cap for over a year, he had two infamous blow ups this year, one of which garnered an extensive suspension, and has yet to prove himself to be a mature adult. Oh well. That didn’t deter Roberto Donadoni.

His first goal for Bari, in his second game, was a sure sign of things to come. In spectacular fashion he controlled a difficult ball and sliced through an Inter defensive duo made up of Laurent Blanc and Christian Panucci before putting the ball into the back of the net in the 88th minute of a 2-1 win. Two years later, at 19, Roma paid an obscene €28m for the boy from the poor streets of Bari. His expectations were larger than life, and he was supposed to be the new Totti for club and country. Strange thing is, he started to fulfill those ridiculous expectations.

Totti and Cassano were something else entirely to watch, and formed perhaps the most creative duo in the world in some time. Problem is, Cassano started to become larger than life and he started buying into his own praise. A falling out with the club management saw him sent to the reserves and he was sent to Real Madrid for a paltry €5m. Same schenanigans, yadda yadda yadda, now he’s in Genoa, playing for the Blucerchiati (on loan, but a permanent deal is supposedly a formality).

At Sampdoria, Cassano was dusted off the old magic and has been tearing Serie A to shreds. His technique, deft touch, perfect passing and static dribbling leaves most defenders in the dust. And though he can finish, knocking in ten goals this campaign, he’s also not unselfish, and can pick out a teammate in the perfect position just as well. Simply a brilliant attacker.

His actual role is still yet to be known, but make no mistake, if he’s going, he will play. Quite simply, he is the most gifted player on the Azzurri roster. After that, your guess is as good as mine. He may play on the flanks or he may play behind Luca Toni as the trequartista. He may be the best player at the tournament, and leave the world behind with slacked jaws to pick up. Or he may, for lack of a better term, “pull a Zidane” and ruin Italia’s chances.

If there’s a player to watch at Swissaustria, it’s got to be Cassano. Very few players can cause so much reaction – be it good or bad.

First goal:

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