Serie A special: Sampdoria must not commit suicide with Antonio Cassano (part 1)
On July 12th, 1982, a Paolo Rossi inspired Azzurri lifted the World Cup in Santiago Bernabeau, Spain. The same day, in the Bari Vecchia neighbourhood of Bari, a star was born. A young Cassano had one fiery temper often getting into arguments with
friends and peers. However, on pitch, Cassano was a champion.
It did not come as a surprise when Il Talentino de Bari was taken in to AS Bari youth ranks largely due to his outrageous potential. A player of Cassano’s ability could not be kept out of the first team and at just 18 years of age, Antonio made his Serie A
debut against local rivals US Lecce. Although his debut was modest at best, Cassano truly announced his arrival on Calcio scene with a prodigious goal against Inter Milan barely a week later.
Il Gioiello di Bari Vecchia (the jewel of Old Bari) controlled a long ball with his back heel while running at his full, the player beat a host of players before slotting past the keeper. Fans, pundits, teammates and opposition were left in awe; a new star
of Calcio was born.
Cassano’s stocks rose in such breathtaking fashion, Scouts from near and far came in flocks to witness the prodigy weaving his magic. Barely two years into his debut, the player had become too big for a modest Galletti outfit. Late Franco Sensi decided to
shell out the millions on the star and AS Roma duly paid 30 million Euros for his services. Such an exorbitant amount was simply out whelming for many and Luciano Moggi erupted in the media, “Cassano is a real talent, but 30 million for a player of his age
is excessive. It's too soon to understand exactly how much he is worth." And boy did Cassano show his worth!
With his friend and partner in crime, Francesco Totti, Cassano terrorised the Serie A defenders out of their wits. The interplay and telepathic connection the two formed on the pitch, was a joy to behold. Unfortunately, Cassano was still hot in the head.
For all his talent, he managed to fallout with Fabio Capello and was promptly frozen out of the first team. His behaviour was reported to be so childish that Don Fabio coined a term for his behaviour, Cassanata; a term still used by media to describe ridiculously
childish attitude. Based on his reputation, a divorce was imminent and Cassano duly left the club over a petty wage issue.
Real Madrid paid a miserly 5 million Euros for his services as this contract was about to expire, running the Gilarossi a significant loss on their investment. Cassano’s time in the Spanish Capital was a complete disaster. In two seasons he managed to stay
with Los Galacticos, Il Talentino di Bari could only muster 19 league appearances. The player lost his form, his fitness, his national team place and his public outburst against the coach, Fabio Capello, didn’t help his first team chances either.
Cassano was loaned out to UC Sampdoria, good riddance on Real’s behalf but one that would turn out to be a bargain signing for Genoa based outfit. The player scored an impressive 10 goals and assisted in six others in just 22 appearances. Blucerchiati duly
signed the player the very next year. Cassano has been the talisman for Sampdoria ever since he set his foot in Genoa. In 102 appearances that he has made for the club, Cassano has scored 34 goals and directly assisted in 32 others. In essence, Cassano has
made a telling contribution in almost two-thirds of the games he has played in. Now imagine just how Sampdoria would manage without this temperamental genius in their ranks.
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