Antonio Cassano
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Antonio Cassano (born June 12, 1982 in Bari, Italy) is a striker who plays for the Italian national team and A.S. Roma.
Cassano first appeared on the field on December 18, 1999, when his first club, Bari, was playing a home match against Inter Milan. Bari coach Eugenio Fascetti, due to lack of options, put on the young, 17 year old player, without knowing what the result would be. Cassano's moment came two minutes from the end when he picked up a Bari defensive clearance well inside his own half. With all the insouciance of arrogant youth, he set off on a splendid 60 yard run which concluded with Laurent Blanc getting a 'lesson' by the youngster and the ball in the back of the net for a 2-0 win.
Since then, Cassano's price tag went through the roof, not only that, but as the days passed, Cassano's price tag grew. A showdown between bitter rivals Juventus and Roma ensued, the price tag was too much for Juventus president Umberto Agnelli who claimed: "He's very good, he's young, but he talks too much. And then, he's got quite a price tag."
While Juve's interest decreased, Roma's was on the rise. Roma President Franco Sensi recognized the talent, and was ready to pay the price tag, as well as confirming the deal before Roma and Bari reached an agreement. In addition, Cassano throughout the bidding war, expressed his great interest in playing along side his idol, Francesco Totti, knowing that the experience gained by the Roma star would be vital for his football growth... the rest is history.
Cassano is one of the most elegant attackers in the world, well balanced, able to play with either foot and blessed with both good acceleration and terrific ball skills. Cassano is not afraid to take on defenders, usually running at them on top speed, and not afraid to take on two or three at a time.
If there was one concern of Cassano's, it was that the money spent on him would go to his head, and his falling out with coach Claudio Gentile of the Italian Under 21 squad has fueled the rumor. But the maturing process is one that every footballer goes through, at the moment Cassano is under the tutelage of Francesco Totti and the watchful eye of Roma coach Fabio Capello, who has no intentions of throwing Cassano into the 'fire', rather opting to slowly insert the youngster through substitution. There is no doubt, that training in Trigoria with the likes of Totti, Montella, Delvecchio, and of course, Gabriel Batistuta will only improve the player technically, not to mention mentally. But one thing is for certain, Cassano currently appears to have everything required to become one of the first Italian mega-stars of the new millennium.
Cassano played for his country at Template:Ec2, scoring two goals. He is nicknamed Peter Pan and wears the number 18 jersey for his club.
External links
- Antonio Cassano fans club (http://www.antoniocassano.tk/)de:Antonio Cassano
et:Antonio Cassano fa:آنتونیو کاسانو it:Antonio Cassano ja:アントニオ・カッサーノ sv:Antonio Cassano