Cassano... so immature

Marcello Lippi was heavily criticised in summer for sticking to his 2006 World Cup heroes for the finals in South Africa, a decision that led to the omission of talented players, the likes of Antonio Cassano and Mario Balotelli, among others.

In 2009/10, ex-Bari, Roma and Real Madrid striker Cassano played a key role in Sampdoria’s fourth-place finish, which gave the Blucerchiati the chance to play in the Champions League for the first time since going down to Barcelona 0-1 in the 1992 final at Wembley.

Lippi, however, kept overlooking Cassano’s superb performances for Sampdoria and again opted for his closely-knit group of players. It is no secret that Lippi does not get along well with rebel players. So, Cassano’s omission from the World Cup was somewhat anticipated.

Italy’s flop in the World Cup is still a fresh memory. At the time, Lippi was depicted as the villain and Cassano hailed as Italy’s possible saviour after Lippi’s successor – Cesare Prandelli – re-admitted him in the Azzurri fold.

Fast forward four months and Cassano, who married waterpolo player Carolina Marcialis on June 19, was on the headlines for the wrong reasons yet again.

In October, he was excluded from Sampdoria’s first team squad after falling out with club supremo Riccardo Garrone. The club is also seeking to terminate Cassano’s contract so rude was the player’s behaviour towards Garrone.

On Sunday, Samp seemed a team weary in mind and body as they could only share the spoils in a goalless home draw with Chievo. The 1991 Italy champions are currently in a mid-table position. After failing to reach the Champions League group stage, Samp are also on the brink of Europa League elimination.

It is clear that the Cassano factor is leaving a negative effect on the team.

Those of us who had thought that Cassano had finally matured into a grown-up man were proven wrong. He remains a skilful player but far from a complete footballer.

As the son of a single mother in Bari, Cassano had a very difficult upbringing.

He was lucky enough to be spotted by the scouts of his hometown club and promoted to the first team at the tender age of 17. Barely two years later, Cassano signed for Roma for a staggering fee of €30 million.

Then, in January 2006, he became the second Italian player, after Christian Panucci, to sign for Spanish giants Real Madrid.

But, Cassano always had a knack of pressing the self-destruct button. His constant bust-ups with his team-mates and overweight problems due to bad eating habits, epitomise Cassano’s wayward lifestyle. He was suspended from first-team football on many an occasion, particularly during his time at Real.

Even then Italy U-21 coach Claudio Gentile had found Cassano’s attitude irritating and gave up on calling him again after he was given a second chance. Gentile’s side went on to win the U-21 UEFA Championship in 2004 without the football rebel.

Cassano’s move to Sampdoria in 2007 was seen as an ideal springboard for him to revive his career. Many reckon his talent is such that he deserves to be playing Champions League football and become a pillar for the national team.

But, reality has shown us that Cassano is not mature enough to deserve the red carpet treatment provided to him by Italian football.

Perhaps, after all, Lippi was not so wrong about Cassano’s exclusion from the World Cup.