Filed under: Players, Serie A | Tags: Antonio Cassano, derby, Derby della Laterna, Genoa, Sampdoria
I have heard a lot about Antonio Cassano’s brilliant play for Sampdoria this season. I’ve read a lot about it, too. I have seen the choppy, blurry YouTube highlights of his many goals, his many near goals, and his many set-ups. But due to my reliance on TLN for Italian soccer coverage, I had not seen Cassano play an entire game until this morning, when I watched Samp take on their derby rivals Genoa.
The jewel of Old Bari was by far the best player on the pitch in the Blucerchiati’s 1-0 win, delivering several magnificent through balls, including one that followed a wicked spin deke in midfield. He set up the game-winning goal by dribbling around two defenders and curling a perfect back-post cross to goalscorer Christian Maggio. When the ref blew the final whistle to end the match, Cassano, who was substituted in the final minutes, dumped a bottle of water onto the head of Samp manager and Dustin Hoffman lookalike Walter Mazzarri to celebrate.
Cassano is occasionally known by the nickname Peter Pan, due to his seeming inability to grow up. (A nickname less commonly used in the media but probably more commonly used among fans is “Whiny Bitch.”) Though his immaculate skills shone in today’s Derby della Lanterna, the immaturity and petulance that makes him one of the most despised players in the game today was also on full display. He yapped at the official incessantly, drawing a yellow card for arguing in the 26th minute. On several occasions, he went to ground without provocation, clutching his face like he’d taken a punch from Joe Frazier.
Despite all this, Cassano seems to have found a home with his new club (although it should be remembered he’s still on load from Real Madrid). The club, including Mazzarri, seems willing to put up with Peter Pan’s antics so long as he leads them to victory, and hopefully, a UEFA Cup spot. Cassano, for his part, is at his best when he doesn’t have to share the spotlight. Unfortunately, like a child, sometimes he doesn’t seem to care whether the attention he gets is good or bad.
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the back four 
Regardless that he is the ‘Genius from Old Bari’, his antics are what will keep him from being a great player. Like you said, he is at his best when he is the lone superstar. So I geuss any successful venture in the national team is out of the question when he may be asked to play third, fourth, or even fifth fiddle after some of the other quality forwards Italy has that can also keep their cool.
Besides, their is no place for his behavior at an international tournament. It would be quite embarassing.
Another thing to point out, Cassano might be hogging the highlight reel at the moment, but Sampdoria also has a sleeper star in development in the form of Fabio Quagiarella. So how long can Cassano’s bliss actually last?
Comment by terzatempo February 17, 2008 @ 10:18 pmUdinese fully owns Quagliarella, according to Wikipedia. So he won’t be coming to steal the show from Antonio anytime soon.
Otherwise, I totally agree with what you said. The Italian national side has been successful of late because there are no massive egos. Toni, Pirlo, Cannavaro, Buffon, Di Natale, Ambrosini—these are mature people—Men—who can deal with all the emotional baggage that comes with being part of an international side. When Cassano starts with the antics, he brings everyone around him down.
That said, we should give him due credit for what he’s doing on the pitch right now. He is a genuine talent.
Comment by il mediano February 17, 2008 @ 10:30 pmHmmm. I think Wikipedia is wrong on that one.
Comment by terzatempo February 18, 2008 @ 2:56 amI’m pretty sure Sampdoria won the blind auction for his services and he is now 100% Sampdoria property.
Wikipedia is never wrong.
OK, it’s often wrong. But not this time.
http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jan3n.html
Comment by il mediano February 18, 2008 @ 10:27 am