The Bari-born striker reflected on his road to selection for the European Championship, and gave his views on his strike partner against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mario-Balotelli-c23937.
The AC Milan striker suffered from a mini stroke while on the flight from the match against AS Roma. The forward was consequently rushed to the hospital where he was told that it was not a major concern. However, the open heart
surgery meant that the injury came too close to the European Championships.
The incident took place in October, with the recovery expected to take at least five to six months. Cesare Prandelli, Italian national team head coach, always kept faith in the striker and was willing to wait till the last moment
for the inclusion of the former AS http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roma-c31603 striker.
Cassano is fully aware of the luck involved in his selection for the Azzurri squad is in no mood to waste the opportunity. He conceded that he did not feel he would be making it to the side, and was quoted to have said:
“I am honest, I didn’t expect to play in the Euros. Instead I was fortunate and given a reprieve. I am not here to waste time now that I have made it, as I want to be at the Euros as a protagonist.”
The former Real Madrid striker’s strike partner has been accused of not showing the maturity needed at the national level, and Cassano was asked how he felt about role as the “tutor” of the Manchester City striker. The Milanello
star was clearly amused by any such suggestions and went on to state:
“People say I should be a tutor to Balotelli? Well, in that case we’re in big trouble! Who is going to look after me, then?”
Criticism increased after the striker wasted an opportunity to score goal, and as well as praising Di Natale, the forward said:
“He said he wanted to pass it to me, but I told Mario with the shot he’s got then just aim and smash the net... I call Di Natale ‘The Sniper’ – give him a chance and he’ll score.”
Italy’s next encounter is against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Croatia-c2879 with the match being played in Poznan.
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