Calcio Debate: Donadoni Opens Cassano Door

Azzurri boss Roberto Donadoni has admitted that Antonio Cassano possesses exceptional technical ability and hinted that he could force his way back into the national squad. Carlo Garganese asks whether taking the controversial Cassano to Euro 2008 would be a good or bad idea…


Fantantonio is one of the most naturally gifted players that the Italian game has produced in years, however his wild personality means that he has never fulfilled his prodigious talent.

Cassano famously burst onto the scene in 1999, when as a 17-year-old he scored a stunning goal for hometown club Bari against Inter Milan. In 2001, while still a teenager, he moved to A.S Roma for a monumental £20m.

During Italy’s ill-fated Euro 2004 campaign, Cassano was arguably the Azzurri’s best player along with Gianluca Zambrotta, scoring two goals in as many starts.

The youngster was then expected to explode onto the world scene, with French star Thierry Henry labelling Cassano as one of the few players he would pay to watch.

However since then the flaws in his character have got the better of him and he was soon frozen out of the Roma squad after arguments with coaches Rudi Voller and Luigi Del Neri, as well as club symbol Francesco Totti.

He moved on to Real Madrid in 2006 and despite scoring on his debut and occasionally showing glimpses of his undoubted genius, disciplinary problems again caused him to be frozen out of the first team squad.

Having barely featured for the Spanish-giants during a miserable 18-month spell, he moved back to Serie A this summer on a one-year loan deal with Sampdoria.

Cassano has endured an injury-hit start to the season, however on Sunday he produced a magical performance during the 3-0 win over Reggina.

The 25-year-old was at times unplayable, going on numerous mazy runs and creating Claudio Bellucci’s opener with an exquisite pass.

After the game the 25-year-old told Donadoni that he would be delighted to return to the Azzurri fold.

“For sure Donadoni would have been happy with how I played,” said Cassano. “If he decides to call me I will be so happy.”

El Pibe de Bari has not featured for Italy since the 3-1 defeat to France in Paris in September 2006, however Donadoni has not ruled out the chance of a return.

“Cassano? It depends solely on him,” said the ex-Livorno tactician.

“Antonio is a boy that has top-class technical quality, however he is lacking continuity. He should transform his promises into certainties.”

Many people believe that the main weakness in the current Italy line-up is the lack of a top-class creative support striker, in the mould of a Francesco Totti or Roberto Baggio.

Cassano certainly ticks this box if fully fit and in form – however will Donadoni take a risk on a player who may damage squad harmony?

The Azzurri are renowned for their mental strength and team spirit, and indeed one of the main reasons Marcello Lippi froze out the likes of Cassano and Christian Panucci during his time as Italy boss was because he wanted to create a “healthy club atmosphere” around the camp.

Cassano is a liability in this respect and indeed he was substituted on Sunday after swearing at both the referee and Reggina boss Renzo Ulivieri, following the failure to award a penalty for a foul on him.


No doubt he is one of the most talented in Serie A, he would be great for Italy if he can sort out his attitude problem.

He needs to be in Euro 2008. Believe me.

TOTTI + CASSANO = best of the world.
hell I do miss their shows.

We all miss his shows. I remember how Totti and Cassano exchanged passes from the middle of the field to go all the and score a goal. Great team work.

What I don't miss is his bust ups.

Surley, that Donadoni team needs Cassano, because he is an experiensed player for big matches. He played at AS Roma and of Course that He could go to EURO 2008!
But, the forward of Italy is very good. Just Luca Toni!!!!''He is FANTASTIC''

The problem with Cassano that he makes a lot of troubles and it seems he did not learn from his mistakes, last match he played and played very good and was mentioned by media as one of the best performances in the last week but he also made some troubles in the match.

If Cassano stay away from troubles and concentrates on the pitch only he will win the balloon d'or one day but i do not think he will stay away from troubles.

Italy need Totti & Cassano if they want to win Euro2008, I watched Cassano the other night and he showed glimpses of his old skillful self.

This is great news as I am one of this biggest fans and really hope he can change around his career!

Forza Antonio

I am a strong believer in that if you are playing better than 21 other guys of your nationality, you should be called up to the NT squad, regardless of who you are. Leaving guys out for personal reasons is ridiculous and unprofessional. Saying that, Cassano is a different breed of troublemaker. He cant actually be in a place more than a week without doing something moronic. And if you have to choose between bringing him and have him freak out in training after 3 days and then being stuck a striker short, or bringing Quagliarella, Di Natalie, Bianchi or Lucarelli, then the choice is obvious. He has to prove his worth before anyone can say he must be brought and he isnt doing that...

Genuinley the Cassano obsession is one thing I dont get. Obviously he is supremely talented, but so are plenty of other footballers, the only difference is that CAssano just point balnk refuses t5o live to the code of ethics laid down to him as a footballer. He is not bigger or better than any team as Roma and Real Madrid have shown by getting rid of him and then going on to be runners up in Scudetto and winning the league, feats that hadnt been achievable with him in the panel for a serious length of time, plus Italy managed to go on and win the World Cup without the distraction of ever having to call him up and worry about Cassano.

So how in Gods name, anyone can say he "Must" go anywhere with any team is an absolute mystery to me!

Oh my god, has Cassano even caused any trouble lately? I don't think so...
I don't think Lucarelli possesses talent for major tournaments, Bianchi has had a shocking season..

Cassano has played only what, 6 games this season and has 1 goal.....1 goal! that is good enough to get you in the Azzuri line up? I dont think so.

Lucarelli has been scoring tonnes of goals, was Shaktars best player by some distance IMO in Europe and is proven goals. As for Bianchi, he actually started the seaosn really well. Goal on his debut and then 2 more very impressive performances, including one in the Cup where he was AMAZING. Why he has been dropped is a mystery to anyone who has seen those 3 games. But if he gets back in the line up after Christmas or moves to another club and starts playing regulalry, then I would pick him over Cassano any day of the week

Just check his Wiki article....he has TWO seperate sections titled "(Club name) controversies" 3 months free of trouble...mainly because he has been injured so hasnt had an excuse to throw a fit for sitting on the bench, is nowhere near enough to have earned my faith anyway that he deserves a call up!

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/dec1n.html

Cassano is an idiot. God blessed him with immense talent , so sad he is wasting his talent by being an idiot. He will never play for NT, because he doesn't deserve it. He is unreliable. Just imagine what would have happened if he pulled one of those Zidane moments in a WC final?

its hard for me to rate him with the National team, I am always a Del Piero fan and if Donadoni was smart, hed play him as a support striker, Del Piero could work in a 4-4-2 the same Cassano likes and be the link man to Toni (untouchable in my opinion) but I agree that there is Luccarelli and Fabio and more who can play and will not disrupt the squad. I feel that Cassano could no fit in the squad because it is essentially the 2006 wc squad that Lippi had. It isnt designed for Cassano, and that the only real coach who could handle Cassano was Trappatoni. But i remember euro 2004,he had a never say die attitude and was essentially their best player and IF Donadoni can learn to handle him, then the NT wont need Del Piero or miss Totti

Ok, first. Dreamlander, he's been injured and is trying to find himself again, he played well against Reggina and said himself in the interview after the game which I watched that it didn't bother him that he didn't score, he was happy for his team. He was laughing and looked happy, I think he's doing well and finding himself again.

Secondly, if Reggina's coach can't ignore someone, he's as equally culpable. Anyway, as long as Cassano can curb his behaviour on the field, he'll be fine. Bobo Vieri has always been an angry person, sure, he hasn't gotten himself in the same class as Cassano, but nobody complains when Vieri made his voice heard, especially in the press.

He would be immortalized as the best player EVER!! LOL

But I agree...the kid has unreal natural talent. What I don't understand is this....you were practically sent away from Roma because of your attitude, you've been on the bench at Real Madrid for mouthing off, you've been injured and on the bench at Sampdoria....now you start getting some playing time...you play your first real game in a long time...and you are looking for a red card? Seriously....haven't you been on the bench long enough?

The kid is not very intelligent otherwise he would have all of Europe begging for his services.

He needs to convert to Buddhism and find peace within....remember the great Baggio....nothing could change his composure.



I remember I think it was about 2-3 years ago at an interview Vieri told the press that all of them weren't half the man he was.....that didn't go over so well :-)




Why did you have to bring Euro 2004 up!!! LOL
Yeah, I remember that sweet header in the dying minutes. He was on the ground celebrating because he did exactly what needed to be done...then they told him that Denmark and Sweded had tied it 2-2 which was exactly what they had to do to knock us out

But yes, if he can be tamed and made to feel important he could really shine. A a strong leader like Cannavaro could hold him back when he's about to do something stupid

If he plays he will be back, just a matter of time. At Madrid last season he started great and he was called up and he played very well.
I don't remember him causing any trouble in the NT. And would anyone really mind if he swears or kicks Domenech's ass??

Not me.

He was also laughing and looking at happy at Madrid....remember the whole joking about and doing Capello impressions with Diarra. He is one mood swing away from blowing up a squad and 6 or 7 games played in the season, for whatever reason, are certinaly not enough to get him back in the NT squad ahead of Toni, Lucarelli, Quagilarella, Iaquinta, Gilardino and Inzaghi in my opinion!

I don't think he competes with Toni, Iaquinta, Lucarelli, Gila and Inzaghi.

I'd say his style of play makes him compete with the ones of ADP, Quagliarela, Totti (retired of course), which means NT needs player like Totti, ADP and Cassano, but none of them are in their top form.

I think with the more creative attacking midfielders like Rosina and Montolivio coming through, that a deep lying forward isnt as important for Italy anymore and they could play with 2 out and out strikers. especially if one is Iaquinta as he can drift wide as well and, as has already been shown wuth Juve and Trezeguet, is a pretty good provider for a box striker.

But I think Totti was right when he came out and said the Number 10, crack, player is becoming rarer these days. More energetic attacking midfielders like Rosina, Montolivio, Aquilani are the new breed of Italian creator I reckon. The only real crack player I think that has a chance of getting in the Italian NT Squad for the Euros is Giuseppe Rossi, and it helps that he is scoring goals goals and more goals.

Cassano was the cause of 2 of Sampdoria's goal today, he got a penalty and he had a great assist.

imo definitely yes, the kind of creativity ability he has around the box is unrivalled by any italian players playing right now and if he goes italy's attack would really be transformed to another level, because face it right now italy's attack (toni, di natale, iaquinta) is nothing to fear about. proofs of this are his two assists today for sampdoria's two goals and the two more he provided during midweek in their 3-2 win.

No, No, No AND No!

Hes had his chance, he had a decent Euro, but clearly his Azzurri career is all but over, Lippi didnt feature him at all and look what happened. Sure hes technically gifted but his attitude and mentality dosnt suit a winning team, imo a player like Rosina,Montolivo,Rossi should be given his role as an impact player...

There is room for him.

Donadoni should take 8 "forwards" where really All of these except for Toni and Iaquinta like to take the ball from a deeper position whereas Toni and to a certain excent Iaquinta like to hang around up front more.


Immagine as our attacking arsenal
Rossi, Rosina, Cassano, Quagliarella, Di Natale, Toni, and Iaquinta and I would even be ok with Inzaghi being thrown in there to poach one in as usual.

This is as good as any attack. We fear nobody. All we need is proper playing time and a system that could take advantage of our fearless attack

By the way batigol....Toni, Di Natale and Iaquinta have been successful so far.

Agreed, Lippi left out Cassano for only 1 reason - Cassano would have broken "club" relationship between NT players. He is not a team player. Everything has to revolve around him, and if he is subbed out or benched, his crying disrupts that locker room relationship which in my opinion contributed greatly for our winning mentality in Germany.

How do you know that? There are too many assumptions without substantial proof. Cassano isn't THAT bad. Yes, his behaviour has been done to death in the media, but he's proved himself time and time again to be a valuable player, and so far at Sampdoria, he's generally behaved quite well. Everyone deserves a second chance.

Remember how Lippi protected NT in pre-WC 06 times, when Shadow of Calciopoli was all over him and some NT players? Well, I do. He really managed to isolate team from the media. Club like mentality created by Lippi helped the team to concentrate at task in hand. Now, if Cassano all of the sudden is included in the team, how can you guarantee his childish behavior won't affect NT? There is a saying "1 Caw with diarrhea makes all the caws to stink". I rest my case.


Looks like Donadoni will have a headache to chose strikers for Euro 08. Pozzi score 4 goals, and 2 assists came from ((((((Giovinco))))))))))). Quagliarella also had a double. Who needs Cassano?

How can you guarantee that his childish behaviour will continue? These are all assumptions. Donadoni won't base his selections upon one week's results. You forgot to point out that Cassano assisted in both Sampdoria's goals today as well as having a goal disallowed for offside.

exactly, i agree with italia494. everybody just says cassano will disrupt the team environment without any substantial proof. i personally think that his negative effect is far exaggerated by the media. and when has he ever cried when subbed that is just rediculous. capello betrayed him by not giving him enough chances at real and he has a right to say what he wants.

and the main thing is the last time he performed for the italia team after a two year absence, he was still more fucking amazing than quagliarella or di natale put togeter.

I hope your talking about the same Udinese players im thinking of..

I hope Donadoni doesn't have memory problems as some of us.

well lets just see if donadoni decides to take cassano tothe euro or not and then we'll know who's right. cassano every time he played for the azurri has been world class and thats all im saying.

And I'm not denying his technical abilities. Something we agree on. I'm just saying you never know when he will pull of one of those "Zidane" moments in a crucial stage.

Yes.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/dec10b.html

Capello speaks the truth. It would be an irresistible force to see him and Totti take the stage once more.

Cassano was dropped by Real Madrid and they won La Liga. Cassano was binned by Italy and they won the World Cup. Cassano was booted out by Roma and they finished second in Serie A. I think everyone knows what my answer is. His technique is a rare and unbelievable gift, his attitude is one of the worlds great big fucking curses.

Cassano has fucked up everywhere, he doesnt deserve another chance. If you have other more reliable options, which Italy do by some distance, then you take them. They dont need to take the risk, therefore dont take the frickin risk and they will continue winning!

Pretty simple!

yes that's exactly what im talking about. and this was when he was not playing regularly at real madrid as well. imagine him fit with that kind of skills. nobody on germany or france has the ability to do that. the only person who can probably do that at the euro is cristiano ronaldo, and portugal is not as solid overall as italy. with cassano in attack italy can probably claim to be the best team there.

I can Imagine Cassano's skills when he is fully fit. I can also imagine him fucking up big time. We need to understand that underlying cause of this controversy is not his skills but craziness.



LOL, he didn't even score there. You could have found video where he actually dribbles and scores.

That's one side of the coin. It's also an absolutely ridiculous argument to suggest that all those accomplishments were simply because Cassano was taken out of the equation.

Cassano gave Italy hope in Euro 2004 even though Italy was eliminated through the goal differences. Under Totti and Cassano, Roma came second in the Serie A every year that Cassano was at the club, excluding last year when he went to Madrid. For a period he was excluded from the squad, but at the end of the day they still won the La Liga. He also won an Italian Super Cup with Roma.

Pretty simple!

Yep, really funny.. I suppose everytime Kaka or Ronaldo fail to score after showcasing some excellent technique we should all laugh at them too.


Here's a good goal.

Magic goal indeed.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=gqSk1T1vxXA

My favorite, but end is faulty.

last game Sampdoria lost 3-2 to Udinese and Cassano was the reason for the two goals of Sampa, when he is concentrating in the field he becomes too dangerous.

...only if he had some brains. I can only imagine what it would be like for Roma and NT.

If he keeps this up for a reasonable length of time, then I dont see why he shouldnt be called up for one of the pre tournament friendlies at least. But it would be risky to call him straight up to the squad for a tournament without seeing how he would react to Donadonis coaching for a friendly!

yeah and with Qualigrella on fire his chance will be so little but tbh Cassano is the most talanted Italian player i saw after Baggio but he had crap mind.

Too many loose Talentino threads and I wanted to paste this somewhere, so here comes the old thread again.



Source: channel4.com

I know I'm the Mod around here, but wanna know, with all the Cassano threads, do you guys want them all merged into this one, or will I leave one seperate for his possible NT selection?

I think a general Cassano thread and one for the NT is the way to go, but this is yer forum as much as it is mine so your input is always welcome!

I'd prefer to see 1, but having 1 for himself and 1 for his role on NT is ok too.

Really glad to see him starting to mature, he seems like he's been learning a lot about how to be a more positive player.

I however can not see Roma taking him back, there are other opportunities for Antonio if he improves and gains more consistency.


Oh yeah, and a thread merge makes sense.

Cassano needs to lok ahead with his own career and look at this as a fresh start. Looking back and piing for Roma, or for Madrid or for Italy wont allow him to prgoress. If he looks ahead and plays like a demon for the next few years then Italy will call and he can go on to be as good as he wants to be.

However if he spends too much time looking back regretting shit, than he will never realize his potential!

Threads merged too!