Flying high

Italy finished off their qualifying campaign for Euro 2012 in fine fashion as they defeated Northern Ireland 3-0 with Antonio Cassano again the star. A superb volley for his first strike the Milan striker got his brace after a neat finish past the helpless Maik Taylor.

His performance for the Azzurri reinforced one thing: this is Antonio’s time.

Italy always produce at least one player every generation who is considered a true fantasista. That is, a player with the special ability to turn matches with one stroke of genius. Roberto Baggio was one such player, Alessandro Del Piero followed before Francesco Totti emerged.

Cassano was the natural heir to the Roma captain, yet, after a career that became tarnished by ill-discipline, conflict and poor form, his was very much a case of ‘what might have been’. Perhaps, until now.

The once Bari prodigy was not just the star for Italy against Irlanda del Nud, but, he has been the star of their whole qualifying campaign.

He was the team’s top goalscorer with six in total along with two assists. While the likes of Giampaolo Pazzini, Mario Balotelli, Alessandro Matri were tried and tested at various stages, Cassano has been the one constant for Italy in attack and a reliable one too.

Outcasted by Sampdoria last year he moved to Milan in January where in his first six months struggled to break into Max Allegri’s starting eleven as they marched to league success. Against the backdrop of such instability, Cassano’s achievements under Cesare Prandelli this past year are made all the more remarkable.

Cassano’s success on the international stage will hopefully remind Max Allegri of just how important a player he is and can be for Milan.

The Rossoneri are languishing in the lower rungs of the Serie A with just one win in five. There are many reasons for this including the injury crisis that engulfed the club as the season kicked off.

Amidst all the gloom, Cassano has been a rare ray of light. Unlike many of his teammates, he has kept himself fit and has thus been afforded much playing time. While he has not been able to single-handedly prevent Milan’s early season demise, he has done his utmost.

Allegri’s side have only scored five goals and Cassano has played a part in no less than four of them. He scored one himself while he has provided assists for the other three.

To have a player with the ability to score goals just as well as he creates them is invaluable especially in a team like Milan where there is a significant lack of creativity in the attacking third.

In light of all this when the likes of Robinho and Pato return to action one hopes Allegri will not cast aside Cassano as he did last season. Not only could this be detrimental to Milan, but, also and perhaps more so to Italy’s chances at Euro 2012.

Cassano has shown under Prandelli what he can do when afforded faith, trust and regular playing time. Allegri should take a leaf out of his book.