Antonio Cassano has been involved in his first run-in during the Azzurri’s Euro 2008 training in Austria.
Roberto Donadoni chose to put his trust in the fiery Sampdoria hitman instead of Milan veteran Pippo Inzaghi when choosing his 23-man squad for this summer’s Austrian adventure.
Despite his superb form this term and undoubted talent Cassano’s temperament has always been questionable.
And his angry side reared its ugly head again yesterday when the former Roma man reacted furiously to a fair challenge from defender Giorgio Chiellini.
Cassano picked himself up and gestured rudely at the defender, who is still ridden with guilt after inadvertently injuring skipper Fabio Cannavaro.
The Bari native’s actions didn’t seem to be motivated by Chiellini’s challenge on Cannavaro, as minutes later he put in a horror tackle on Wolfsburg new boy Andrea Barzagli.
Donadoni was forced to step in to silence Cassano and also needed to calm tensions in the dressing room after the session.
While the players are believed to have buried the hatchet, the incident will be welcome fuel for Cassano’s detractors and a worry for Don, who is still reeling from the loss of his inspirational captain.
