Euro 2008

Captivating Cassano stakes his Euro claim

Antonio Cassano is an enigma in the mould of compatriot Francesco Totti.

He can act like a spoilt brat and make a coach tear his remaining hairs out with his impetuousness - ultimate Cassanata attributes - or alternatively, when in the mood, Cassano looks as if he could be Italy’s stand-out player, and playmaker, at this summer’s Euros.

The latter quality was on view in the Derby della Lanterna as his trickery and outright ability proved the difference between a point and three for Sampdoria at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. A high-tempo Derby it most certainly was, but the ‘home’ side, Genoa, provided little in attack and even less in terms of refinement and Samp, while possessing the superior players, were utterly profligate in front of goal.

A second draw of the season between these sides looked inevitable, and although Sampdoria dominated the second half, their failures in front of goal meant a share of the points could have been deemed a fair result, if only to teach a lesson to the visitors about the importance of taking chances. Yet a stalemate was avoided minutes before the end when the irrepressible Cassano finally got his reward for a sturdy performance in beautifully setting up a goal for Christian Maggio, who still needed two bites before stabbing the ball home, even then only via a deflection off defender Alessandro Lucarelli.

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Maggio had proved wasteful but Cassano was the antithesis, using the ball with authority on every occasion he received it. Fouled throughout the afternoon, his creative flair was not to be suppressed however and after repeatedly threatening to breakthrough the defence, his footwork once and for all dumbfounded the Genoa back-line as he left two defenders behind, passed another and found Maggio.

Cue mass celebration from the Samp fans located behind that goal, though while Maggio was receiving the immediate plaudits from the tifosi and his team-mates, Cassano remained in the position from where he had made the assist, craving his own round of applause in typical Cassano fashion. But rapturous applause and acclaim was certainly warranted and the maturity of Cassano’s performance adds strength to the claims of the many who believe that he ought to be included in Roberto Donadoni’s Euro 2008 squad.

With former Azzurri playmaker Totti out of the picture, is it time for his heir to replace him? The comparisons must not be detailed however, as Cassano very much likes to be his own man while he will also be wary of Totti’s consistent failure with the national side despite shining at Roma.

Cassano’s problems have so far been at club level, with Roma and Real Madrid, but when predecessor Totti lost his head at Euro 2004, Il Talentino stepped in and impressed, scoring twice in that ill-fated tournament when just 21 years of age.

Now 25, Cassano has intimated a new maturity about both his persona and his play. The two coalesced on Sunday to produce a scintillating and match-winning display.

Consistency is now imperative in the final months of the campaign if he is to catch Donadoni’s eye, the coach having previously stated that the door is open to the former Bari man. It would always be a huge selection gamble on the ex-Livorno coach’s part and a potentially controversial choice, but the magic Cassano can bring to the field could prove decisive in any given game and the charismatic forward might prove to be the inspiration behind a successful Euro bid.

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Cassano for Euro 2008?
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