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:
Click here for more Euro 2008 Player Profiles
Related Posts
Subscribe
|
Print
|
Share
|
Comments


Can’t wait to see him in action. Hope Donadoni doesn’t cut him, there aren’t enough gifted/crazy players around these days. And agree that if he makes the squad then we’ll likely see him in action. He doesn’t seem like the type of player you want kicking his heels and getting frustrated on the bench.




possibly best player in the world at the moment
Posted from
Canada




so good. so douchey.
Posted from
United States




Italy is with France, Netherlands, and Romania….not Germany, Poland, and Austria
Posted from
United States




J, might I ask where you got whatever you’re smoking? Sounds like some good shit.
Posted from
United States




Cassano is a brilliant freak. When he isn’t having a breakdown there is not a more talented or enjoyable player in the world to watch.
I still think he is going to cost Italy a game by getting the inevitable red card but I truly hope he proves me wrong.
So Antonio please take your meds and show the entire world your talent.




is there a reason that no one in england mentions him… he has no say in the champions league and none of the big clubs want him… yeah becasue until this website no one cares about him… the best players at this tournament are ronaldo, torres and fabregas in that order… cassano is not in the top 20… nor top 3 italian players


Comments are closed
Send Your Tips!
Email tips[at]worldcupblog[dot]org
Euro 2008 Club Football News
- Would You Rather: Club Win the League? Or Country Win the World Cup?
- Daily Dose: October 11th, 2009.
- The Atlantic League: A European Not-Quite-Super-But Still-Quite-Good-League for Celtic, Rangers and Others
- Is Watching Football on the Internet The Future?
- The FFT100 - Agree? Disagree?
More Euro 2008 Blogs
Austria World Cup Blog
111 Articles | 117 Comments
Croatia World Cup Blog
191 Articles | 1,816 Comments
Czech Republic World Cup Blog
196 Articles | 320 Comments
France World Cup Blog
782 Articles | 9,764 Comments
Germany World Cup Blog Blog
482 Articles | 3,066 Comments
Greece World Cup Blog
140 Articles | 68 Comments
Italy World Cup Blog
562 Articles | 21,453 Comments
Netherlands World Cup Blog
1,995 Articles | 26,002 Comments
Poland World Cup Blog
347 Articles | 4,083 Comments
Portugal World Cup Blog
447 Articles | 6,804 Comments
Romania World Cup Blog
78 Articles | 281 Comments
Russia World Cup Blog
78 Articles | 136 Comments
Spain World Cup Blog
234 Articles | 1,922 Comments
Sweden World Cup Blog
151 Articles | 318 Comments
Switzerland World Cup Blog
217 Articles | 327 Comments
Turkey World Cup Blog
39 Articles | 293 Comments
UEFA Euro 2008 Championships
546 Articles | 7,250 Comments
Monthly Archives
World 







