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Italy striker Cassano signs for Real Madrid
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-01-04 09:15
Seen as one of the brightest prospects in Italian football, Cassano has been
signed to strengthen the Real front line which has been hit by a series of
injuries and departures this season.
Real sold England striker Michael Owen to Newcastle United at the start of
the present campaign and club captain Raul is expected to be out of action for
at least two more months after sustaining a serious knee injury in November.
First-choice striker Ronaldo has been plagued by a series of injury problems
and has only played 12 of his side's 17 league matches and has yet to make an
appearance in the Champions League.
HIGH-PROFILE ROWS
New recruit Cassano has had a series of high-profile rows during his time at
Roma, clashing with former bosses Fabio Capello and Luigi Del Neri before
falling out with the club's general manager Rosella Sensi in October.
The striker also refused to play for the Italian under-21 side after falling
out with coach Claudio Gentile although it did not prevent him making the full
national team.
Part of the Italy side at Euro 2004, he has been capped eight times and
scored three goals.
Azzurri coach Marcello Lippi has frequently expressed his admiration for the
striker's abilities but says he wants him to be playing regular football before
he can be taken to the World Cup.
Partly as a result of his contract dispute with Roma, Cassano has made only
five Serie A appearances this season. He scored 11 goals for the club last term
and 14 during the previous campaign.
Although he played for Roma in the UEFA Cup this season he will be eligible
to play for Real in the Champions League after a change in regulations by
European soccer's governing body.
Cassano is the second player to join Real during the January transfer window,
his signing coming less than a week after Brazil right back Cicinho completed a
move from Sao Paulo.
Real are in fifth place in the Primera Liga, 11 points adrift of leaders
Barcelona, and face Arsenal in the last 16 of the Champions League.
Italy could benefit from Cassano's Real gamble
MILAN, Jan 3 (Reuters) - Real Madrid's decision to sign precocious but
petulant Italian striker Antonio Cassano is a gamble. If it pays off, it would
not only be the Spanish club that benefits.
Italy coach Marcello Lippi
will be relieved that the 23-year-old's contract dispute at AS Roma, which
restricted him to just five Serie A appearances this season, is over and will be
watching his performances for Real closely.
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