Is Antonio Cassano finally ready to take the burden of high expectations that is inevitably connected to his god-given gift?
Since his first days, Italian football bad-boy has been combining the amazing talent with his tough Bari childhood street habits. It was many years ago, on one rainy night at San Nicola stadium when he exploded playing around with twice his age, Laurent Blanc. Cassano didn’t want to grow up, but he failed to trick the calendar. Led by the iron fist of his football father, Eugenio Fascetti, he had somehow managed to restrain his temper. The boy with his murky past left for where all the roads lead – to Rome. He was there welcomed by Fabio Capello, Italian football’s Don whose working principles have always been based on discipline, one segment that is so hard to connect with Antonio Casssano. At first, it all seemed to work great because their ambitions matched. However, as the time went by and Roma couldn’t win trophies, it was clear that, like in the Italian spaghetti-westerns, there was no room for both of them in the town. They were reunited once again in Real Madrid and it turned to be a disaster. There was no winner at the end, Cassano was wasting both his time and talent in Spain, while Capello, for the second time in his career, won the title and left. In Madrid, it is not sufficient to win, it must be done with style.
His depression and nostalgia for Italian South, Cassano was trying to forget with his “sweet life” in Spain. Dolce Vita made him forget of the turf so he found himself rejected from the squad. What seemed to be a the step in the wrong direction, arrival to the average Sampdoria, turned to be a breath of fresh air for the dying career. The sleepy genius reignited his passion in Genoa. Since he managed to turn the tables around for the club that had been of average quality for 15 years, everyone was willing to forgive and forget. There had been a lot of quarrels with coach Mazzari, a lot of outbursts that brought several monthly suspensions, but one thing was certain – Fanantonio, as they call him now because of his magical moves, had become fans’ idol. It wasn’t long that he stood neck to neck with Samp legends such as Roberto Mancini or Luca Viali, people responsible for Samp’s Champions League finals in the nineties. Cassano is filled with charisma, and just like the people on the terraces he is imperfect, and he gives people the chance to be just like him. Of course, none of this would matter hadn’t it been for boy’s geniality. We will never know if his God’s gift will defeat the terrible character, but, more and more, we see Cassano on the front pages from the right reasons.
Has he finally grew mature for higher aims?
Each week is the proof he deserves more, higher challenge, better club. Sampdoria was the temporary hideout for this unaccepted artist and this summer is seen as the final chance for him to reach the desired destination.
It is more and more evident that the good-old Antonio Cassano came to his senses, that this natural-born striker has finally dedicated his soul to his predestined mission. Turin might be the next destination for this turbulent ride, that is, Juventus is willing to see Fanantonio inherit Alex Del Piero’s crown.
That would mean that Antonio finally got what he deserved…
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Yeah I think he finally got what he deserved…. I am happy for him and good luck!