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| Cassano: Lippi hates me! |
Saturday 6 December, 2008 |
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Antonio Cassano has given up hope of an Italy recall “while this Coach is still on the bench,” claiming Marcello Lippi is biased against him.
The Sampdoria starlet impressed at Euro 2008 and is on fine form for his club, but Lippi has refused to name him in the Azzurri squad since taking over from Roberto Donadoni in the summer.
“Lippi will decide whether to call me for the Nazionale or not, but as they say in Bari, I smell burning here,” mused Cassano on Sky Sport 24 television.
“I think I have very little chance of getting back into the Azzurri shirt. I don't know the reason. Maybe there are stronger players than me, but I doubt I'll play while this Coach is still on the bench.
“I don't think Lippi will ever call me. Nowadays I see these things happening before anyone else, but I don't care, as I remain satisfied and happy with my life.”
FantAntonio was originally dropped from international duty because of his erratic behaviour and tendency to argue with teammates, opponents and referees alike, but he has calmed down considerably this year.
“Lippi was very clear with me, he said that if I played consistently then he would have taken me to Germany 2006, playing me so much that I'd be tired of international duty. Instead I am tired of not playing for Italy,” he continued.
“I celebrated after we won the World Cup, I even threw myself into the swimming pool fully clothed. My country won and I was very proud, for I am Italian.”
However, Cassano did admit he would not accept any compromise in order to be recalled to the Azzurri.
“If I do go to the Nazionale, I am not going there to watch. I have to fight it out for a place on level footing with everyone else, not turn up to play in midfield or warm the bench.”
Meanwhile, the Blucerchiati hero has more pressing concerns, as he will star in the Derby della Lanterna on Sunday evening.
“After our deserved UEFA Cup defeat in Liege, we will pour all our anger in to this match. Why shouldn't we be optimistic? We are better than Genoa, I said it at the start of the season and I continue to maintain that.
“Anything can happen in the derby and they must know that we are stronger than they are. It's our home game, so there will be 26,000 Sampdoria fans and 11,000 Genoa supporters.
“I don't even want to hear the Genoa chants. The moment they make a noise, we have to shout even louder and drown them out to turn Marassi into a cauldron.
“I have scored in the Puglia derby, the Roman and in Madrid, so I'm only missing the Lanterna. If I wake up on the right side of the bed that morning, my opponents need to be very, very afraid.”
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