The Final Nail In Antonio Cassano’s Azzurri Coffin

By: chris | March 2nd, 2008

1204520561_download-14.jpegWhaddya know, another goal, another meltdown from Antonio Cassano - proving he’s just as boiling hot and icy cold as ever. Talentino started the meltdown off in splendid fashion by scoring his 3,147th goal in the last month (or so it seems). Then he kicked out at the corner flag, as he’s been known to do, and the corner flag hit back, cutting him in the lip - proving that the corner flags of Serie A aren’t going to take his shit anymore. He got a yellow for the celebration to add insult to injury. Apparently Tony then said not nice things to the ref and got sent off during injury time. Cue the insanity. Cassano went all kinds of apeshit, fired his shirt at the ref and headed down the tunnel to wait for his suspension.

As far as the Euros go…..he’s done. I’d been wavering as I’m sure many who actually have input have, but this was the final straw. In a tournament where one game can decide survival, you can’t have a player as mentally unstable as Antonio anywhere near the pitch. And in the event that he’s brought and benched, you can’t have a guy that insane anywhere near your locker room in case he gets all babyish about the benching. One similar outburst could decide the Azzurri’s fate and that’s way too big of a risk, especially if Donadoni is looking at “semi-finals or bust” with his employment. Some day he may grow up and be given another shot, but it won’t be before the fall, that’s almost guaranteed now.

Oh, and the game ended in a draw, but you knew that already because Torino was involved. 16 and counting.

(Incidents after the jump.)

Watch for the dummy, too.




Category Category: Azzurri, Sampdoria, Torino

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Comments  

  • Francesco |  March 2nd, 2008 at 9:58 am

    cornercorner

    I don’t agree with Cassano’s actions by any means, but that second yellow was a terrible call. It was actually for a supposed foul on Comotto, not talking back to the referee as other sources state. Cassano clearly avoided the tackle and Comotto did his best synchronized swimmer impression and dived. Collina was actually in the stands and as soon as the ref sent off Cassano lots of Sampdoria fans surrounded Collina and gave him a sarcastic round of applause.

    However the latest “Cassanata” was terrible, and most certainly hurts his Azzurri chances and Sampdoria if he gets a long ban, because without him on the pitch they suck. It’s too bad because he really has all the talent in the world.

    Posted from United States United States

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  • kirby |  March 2nd, 2008 at 10:09 am

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    thats crazy. both tony and the applause for collina. the refereeing situation needs to get better quickly or else we may see some attacks and lots of voilent behaviour.

    Posted from United States

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  • Francesco |  March 2nd, 2008 at 10:13 am

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    Really though the ref Pierpaoli was terrible. He awarded a penalty to Torino, even though the foul was clearly 2 or 3 feet outside the box. I still don’t know how he messed that one up. Pierpaoli should be reffing in Terza Categoria, not Serie A.

    Posted from United States United States

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  • lgarzone |  March 2nd, 2008 at 10:55 am

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    he’s insane but god damn he is so talented.

    i still want him at euro 2008

    Posted from United States

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  • mctalian |  March 2nd, 2008 at 11:21 am

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    Cassano continues to be his own worst enemy. Even though the ref stunk, his reaction was over the top. I don’t think this is the final nail in azzurri coffin as stated above, but it’s pretty damn near it.

    Posted from United States United States

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  • tito |  March 2nd, 2008 at 12:09 pm

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    I pray that Chris is right and Donadoni and his successors agree. This fruitcake can be the second coming of Maradona for all I care - he has no business anywhere near the world champions.

    Posted from United States United States

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  • KJ Ventimiglia |  March 2nd, 2008 at 12:57 pm

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    I agree with Chris, but I wouldnt want this prozac popping nut anywhere near the Azzurri anyway.

    Posted from United States United States

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  • Bonnie |  March 2nd, 2008 at 2:25 pm

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    About time those corner flags started fighting back…

    Posted from Canada Canada

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  • LorenzoRosanero |  March 2nd, 2008 at 3:51 pm

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    theme song? “he’s a maniac, MANIAC, I sure know”*

    *changed from “she” to “he” to fit the bill…

    Posted from United States

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  • NiDi |  March 2nd, 2008 at 4:52 pm

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    He is the best finisher in the world. He is also the biggest fool in sports. He is my favorite player in the world, but he can not play for the Azzurri as he is just too much of a liability

    Posted from United States

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  • ilcapitano |  March 2nd, 2008 at 8:09 pm

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    seriously…what the hell is wrong with this kid??

    Posted from United States United States

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  • Marco |  March 3rd, 2008 at 12:36 am

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    Shame… he even apologized to everyone after the game, including his team-mates and the referee. A good kid, troubled in the head.

    Posted from United States

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  • romabaha |  March 3rd, 2008 at 1:30 am

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    I do not think that Italy is so talent deprived to depend on Talentino. I will not judge Danadoni if he takes Cassano to Euro 2008, but it is risky biz for sure.

    Cassano is made for teams like Samp, Viola, Napoli, where supporters give their unconditional love to their heroes regardless their actions. But in a bigger team, where everything counts (winning at all cost), he is a libility.

    Donadoni can take him but I do not want him anywhere near Olimpico!

    Posted from Bulgaria Bulgaria

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  • Justin |  March 3rd, 2008 at 2:15 am

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    too bad they remove all those Cassano video’s throwing his shirt..

    loved to see that..
    i searched youtube yesterday.. but nothing working..

    Posted from Netherlands Netherlands

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  • A, |  March 3rd, 2008 at 5:12 am

    cornercorner

    Don’t be so hard on the bloke. If IIRC, he was the *only* shining light in Italy’s last Euro team.

    If he is in form at the time of picking, then I think he should make the team.

    Posted from Australia Australia

    cornercorner
  • Vin |  March 3rd, 2008 at 8:33 am

    cornercorner

    Cassano is the mental patient of Serie A, and I find it amusing that everyone basically treats him like a kid who can’t control his actions (and maybe he can’t). EVERY TIME he has an outburst, he has players from BOTH teams holding him back and trying their best to calm him down.

    Posted from United States United States

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  • Johonna |  March 3rd, 2008 at 9:53 am

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    Here is the link for that.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7HPkPuhgf4

    They are also all on SerieA.tv

    Posted from United States United States

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  • josh(i giallorossi) |  March 3rd, 2008 at 2:24 pm

    cornercorner

    I must say Cassanos actions overshadow his play, unfortunate for such an emotional competitor….
    all things said…taking off his shirt and throwing it at the ref…hilarious!

    I still think he needs a coach to father him…hes like that rich kid who does what he wants at the time but is sorry afterwards….
    come back to rome antonio….

    Posted from Canada Canada

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  • Justin |  March 4th, 2008 at 6:28 am

    cornercorner

    he screws things up for himself.. ( Azzuri and return to olimpico?) atleast.. roma still knows he hasnt chaged yet..

    Posted from Netherlands Netherlands

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  • ursus arctos |  March 4th, 2008 at 6:57 am

    cornercorner

    He’s just been handed a five match suspension (and Samp won’t pay him for any of that time).

    Posted from Italy Italy

    cornercorner

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