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| | Week 14 Spotlight: Real Cassano returns | Monday 5 December, 2005 |
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 Player of the Week: Cassano (Roma)
There is a player in the Roma squad who undoubtedly has the potential to lead Italy to World Cup glory next summer. The problem is that we aren’t too sure at this stage whether or not he’s even going to be on the plane to Germany come next June. As you may have already guessed, that man isn’t Francesco Totti, but he is the enigma who is Antonio Cassano.
These are troubled times for the boy who was baptised as ‘Il Genio di Bari Vecchia’ following his explosion as a teenager with his hometown side. A contract dispute with his current club has rumbled on for over a year now and even spells on the sidelines haven’t convinced him to put pen to paper on a new deal in Rome.
However, this struggling Roma side really can’t deprive itself of such a talent during this delicate phase of their existence as Tonino underlined at the Stadio Via del Mare last night. Whistled by both sets of fans, for his Bari link by the home supporters and for his failure to extend by the Giallorossi faithful, Cassano reminded everyone of his prodigal touch. A sublime chipped goal went a long way to deleting the memories of his embarrassing penalty miss in Belgrade on Thursday, while his overall performance was more than adequate.
The 23-year-old was a constant headache for the Lecce rearguard and would have made a lot more of an impact with a little bit of fortune. A splendid volley was kept out by Vincenzo Sicignano, while a neat side-footed effort only found the post rather than the back of the net.
It was a display which boss Luciano Spalletti was forced to publicly praise. "He scored a great goal, but I am more interested in what he did for the team, how many balls he won and his general contribution," stated the former Udinese tactician. "He performed how he should have done. I must compliment him for that and I will do."
It is now vital for club and country that Cassano is not sent back into the shadows once Vincenzo Montella and Francesco Totti return from injury. Even if Cassano doesn’t agree to stay in the capital, which is highly likely, it seems pointless paying a player of his quality but not using him as punishment for not accepting the club’s terms for a new deal.
A January move remains a distinct possibility, given that Roma don’t want to lose their £20m investment for nothing, and a number of clubs are keen. Inter, Real Madrid and Juventus are just three big names even if the latter have again insisted today that Cassano is not a New Year transfer objective.
"I really like him, he’s a champion and a young one at that," transfer wizard Luciano Moggi stated. "He is a luxury for Italian football and the national team. However, we are well covered in attack and it would be impossible to sign him."
Nevertheless, Moggi is convinced that the boy deserves to play football at the highest level. "He has what is takes to be in any team," raved the Bianconeri director general. "He’ll either stay at Roma or join a club who are in contention to win their respective championship."
One man who doesn’t care what shirt Cassano will be wearing from January onwards is Italy boss Marcello Lippi. All that the former Juventus boss wants is for the youngster to just start playing football again on a regular basis. "In order to win a World Cup you need the genius of an individual," Lippi said last year. "That creative spark which few others posses. You need someone like Cassano." Let’s now hope Roma share that view…
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Goal of the Week: Cassano (Roma)
Despite a splendid Francesco Flachi strike for Sampdoria against Empoli, Antonio Cassano netted the finest goal of Week 14. After swapping passes with Rodrigo Taddei, the Italian international floated a delightful right-footed chip from outside of the area towards goal. Vincenzo Sicignano did get a hand to it, but the ball kissed the inside of the post before crossing the line. Simply sublime! |
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Number of the Week: 13
Never before in Serie A history had a side managed to win 13 of their first 14 games until Juventus’ late win against Fiorentina. The Old Lady of Italian football have now collected 39 points from a possible 42. A similar feat was achieved by the Turin giants in 1949-50 when they won 12 and drew two from the start of that campaign. |
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| Words: Antonio Labbate |
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