U.C. SAMPDORIA

[LaVecchiaSignora]

Antonio Cassano was given a hero’s welcome at Sampdoria to resurrect his career. “But I’m not dead yet!”

The former Roma starlet has had a troubled past few years and now faces a fresh start after his loan move from Real Madrid.


“It is a little over the top to talk about this as my resurrection, especially as I’m a tough one to kill,” smiled Cassano as over 2,000 fans turned up to greet him.


“My mother gave me this confidence and security right from birth that even today, after 18 months of difficulty in Madrid, makes me feel so strong.”


His talent was never in question, but can the Italian international finally set aside his ‘difficult’ character to become a model professional at Samp?


“I am 25, so I’m not old yet. I have at least a good seven or eight years ahead of me to do great things.”


He confirmed he had received an offer of nearly £3m per season from Sven Goran Eriksson’s Manchester City, but turned it down.


“I wanted Samp and everyone spoke highly of the club. Also Roberto Mancini played here for 15 years. I don’t have a house yet, but I want a villa on the coast, because to wake up in the morning with the sun and the sea makes me happy,” said the Bari-born forward.


“I really missed Italy. I felt that I needed to be back here. Away from my own country, I just don’t feel right.”


Cassano has chosen the shirt number 99 and refused to even consider taking the 10 that had been worn by Francesco Flachi – fired this summer after testing positive for cocaine.


“In part the 99 was an homage to my good friend Ronaldo. Number 18 was taken, so I made this choice and think it suits me. After all, nine plus nine is 18. I never thought about 10, as that belongs to Flachi and I hope he can be back on the field soon.”


Sampdoria have taken the player on loan with an option to buy at the end of the season, although that option expires on June 15, 2008.


“I am a couple of kilos over my ideal weight, but within a week I should be fine. I can’t wait to get on to the pitch.”


Cassano was in good humour throughout, but his expression soured only when asked about former mentor Fabio Capello, who repeatedly froze him out of the Madrid squad.


“No comment.”

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[LaVecchiaSignora]

Antonio Cassano gave a rare and revealing interview discussing his character faults and clashes with the media. “But I apologise for nothing.”

The undeniable talent has been constantly overshadowed by disagreements with teammates, Coaches, Presidents and journalists.


“It is not an issue of counting to 10, 100 or 1,000. This is my personality. I would have to file down certain aspects of it, but I cannot change overnight.”


Even after resolving rows with former friends Francesco Totti and Fabio Capello, he has pointedly refused to say sorry.


“If I make a mistake, then I make a mistake. That is all. Why should I apologise and to who? Recognising my errors does not mean saying sorry.


“The media are always happy with me, to begin with. Then when they discover what I’m like they start to attack me,” he told Sky Italia television.


“I don’t really care, though. I am always treated with extremes, they build me up and knock me down in an instant. I play well for one game and am back to being a genius, if I get one match wrong I am the crazy guy who doesn’t want to train. There is never grey with me, it is either black or white.”


Now that he is back in Italy for Sampdoria, he can look back on the disappointing 18 months spent at Real Madrid.


“I played alongside great champions like Zinedine Zidane, Raul, Roberto Carlos and Guti, but I think Ronaldo had something extra,” continued the ex-Roma starlet.


“It is great to be back in Italy and I got such a warm welcome from the Sampdoria fans. There were so many people, I found it quite moving.


“My mother is extremely happy to be in Italy. Making her and the people close to me – especially my cousins – content is very important. If they aren’t happy, then I can’t be either.”


Upon his arrival, Cassano noted that he loved the city of Genoa because it reminded him of his hometown of Bari.


“Bari Vecchia is unique for me, because that is where I am from. Genoa does resemble it in many ways, with the sea and the narrow streets.


“They also have the Torta Sorriso, a cake that makes me pile on weight! It is incredibly tasty, but a disaster for my waistline. Look at the state of me already!”

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[Buddha14]

Sampdoria v AaB UEFA Cup

Discuss your thoughts

[LaVecchiaSignora]

Sampdoria midfielder Christian Maggio was delighted to see his side secure a place in the UEFA Cup proper, but admits that they made hard work of it.

The Blucerchiati led Hajduk Split 1-0 after an excellent first-leg performance in Croatia and looked to be home and dry when a Vincenzo Montella penalty doubled their aggregate lead at Marassi.

However, with just seven minutes remaining they conceded from a free-kick and were left one goal away from elimination before the welcome sound of the final whistle.

“We could surely have put the game to bed earlier and we came close to losing it, but we got through in the end and that’s what matters,” said Maggio, who was tripped for the crucial penalty.

Boss Walter Mazzarri also admitted that things could have been easier in the closing stages, but was evidently relieved at negotiating his first European hurdle.

“What mattered was getting through and any result which allowed that was a success,” the ex-Reggina tactician insisted.

“Once we went ahead we lost our way and that happens in games like this. In the second half I wanted us to go after another goal to allow us to relax, but instead we suffered real nerves for the last six or seven minutes.”

The draw for the first round takes place at midday on Friday and while Mazzarri will be watching with interest, he has no preferred opposition.

“I don’t mind who we get next,” he stated. “I just want to stay in this competition for as long as possible.”

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[LaVecchiaSignora]

Alexandre Pato has turned 18 and will have his first training session with Milan this afternoon. "I know Ronaldo and Kaka are waiting for me."

The teenager was signed for £10m from Internacional this summer, but as he was under-age could not legally train with the club until his 18th birthday – which he celebrated on Sunday.


"The flight went well and my family came along with me. That was the most important thing. I am happy to be in Italy and I will work to honour this jersey."


He won't be able to play for the Rossoneri in a competitive match until the January transfer window so that his contract can be registered, but he'll make his debut in Thursday's friendly against Dynamo Kiev.


"I know that Milan drew with Fiorentina on Monday and I saw some of the game on television. I hope to be in the stands to watch the next one," he added.


Pato will have his first training session at Milanello at 16.00 UK time.


"When Pato arrives, we must coddle him a little bit," said Coach Carlo Ancelotti. "This is why we do not have time to think about signing any other strikers."

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[Aladino]

^^
vech why is this article in the Sampdoria thread? lol

[LaVecchiaSignora]

Sampdoria boss Walter Mazzarri has called for his side to repeat their gutsy performance against Hajduk Split when they take on Danish side Aalborg.

The Blucerchiati had to dig deep to see off the tenacious Croatians in the second qualifying round and were left sweating on a 2-1 aggregate lead with minutes left of the second leg.

Aalborg saw off Finnish side HJK Helsinki in their all-Scandinevian qualifying tie, but Mazzarri’s men will be confident as they host Denmark’s third side on Thursday despite last weekend’s defeat at Sampdoria.

“The Danes are strong and I have heard that they are doing well. It’s important that our midfield helps to cover the defence,” Mazzarri stated.

Samp’s preparations have been hampered by a host of injuries. Defenders Pietro Accardi, Chrsitian Maggio and Hugo Campagnaro are doubts as is midfielder Sergio Volpi.

Summer swoop Antonio Cassano will remain on the sidelines for several weeks amd the latest absentee is stopper Stefano Lucchini, who has knee ligament damage.

It is a huge week for Sampdoria as they preapre to face city rivals Genoa in the Derby della Lanterna this weekend.

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[LaVecchiaSignora]

Sampdoria boss Walter Mazzarri has bemoaned the unfortunate circumstances surrounding his side’s 2-2 draw with Aalborg last night.

The Blucerchiati had been confident going into the UEFA Cup first round clash with the Danish Superliga side at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

After a win, a draw and a loss in their opening three Serie A games, Samp needed a win to reassure the fans that the inconsistency that has blighted recent seasons is a thing of the past.

However, a Gennaro Delvecchio goal was immediately cancelled out by Rade Prica and Mazzarri’s men found themselves trailing 2-1 before Claudio Bellucci’s equaliser.

There was a host of chances at both ends in a fascinating struggle, but conceding two away goals could prove costly and has upset the new man at the helm.

“It seems like nothing is going right at the moment,” Mazzarri lamented after the game. “I’m not used to moaning, but I haven’t seen anything like that.

“Their second goal was hit from 40 metres and went in after deflections, not to mention the injuries that just keep coming.”

Captain Sergio Volpi came on as a substitute after a long injury lay-off, but had to limp off with an ankle complaint leaving Doria with 10 men as they had made all their changes.

“Volpi had only just come back from injury,” Mazzarri groaned. “We’ll have to wait and hope he can recover quickly. I told my lads we have to stick together in times like this.”

The injury crisis could hardly have come at a worse time as Sampdoria face city rivals Genoa in the Derby della Lanterna this weekend.

“Now we have the derby and we are in the worst possible state,” the ex-Reggina boss continued. “I would have liked a week off before we face Genoa and a full squad, but instead we have a long injury list.

“We won’t give up though. Against Aalborg we nearly scored while we had 10 men on the pitch and we never stopped trying.”

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[LaVecchiaSignora]

Vincenzo Montella would gladly give up the chance to score in the Genoa derby. “As long as Sampdoria win!”

L’Aeroplanino has returned to the port city for his second stint at the club and prepares for Sunday night’s long-awaited Derby della Lanterna.


“I have often scored decisive goals in derby games, both in Genoa and Rome, where I fondly recall the four I put past Lazio,” smiled the former Roma star.


“We have an advantage – Genoa have been working towards this match for a week and could be too fired up for it, peaking early.”


The Blucerchiati had the distraction of Thursday’s UEFA Cup match with Aalborg, even though the 2-2 home result was not a good one for Walter Mazzarri’s side.


“Of course I hope to score, but the important thing is not that I am decisive, it is that Sampdoria wins the derby,” added Montella.


The veteran is expected to lead the starting XI at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Sunday night, while Antonio Cassano remains sidelined with a thigh injury.

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[LaVecchiaSignora]

Sampdoria’s Walter Mazzarri has admitted that his side were soundly beaten by Inter, but is frustrated at the nature of the goals in a 3-0 defeat.

The Blucerchiati met an Inter side with a point to prove and were swept aside thanks to a Zlatan Ibrahimovic brace and a Luis Figo blast.

“I’m annoyed because of the way we gave away the goals,” Mazzarri told the Press after the game.

“If Inter had scored with other chances I wouldn’t have minded, but the one-on-ones made me angry.

“We started well, but after the first goal we seemed to give in as if we believed we were destined to lose. I didn’t see any fighting spirit,” the ex-Reggina man lamented.

Finally, Mazzarri was asked about the condition of star striker Antonio Cassano, who only appeared as a substitute in the second half.

“Cassano didn’t get much playing time because football today demands so much physically and even a great player can struggle with fitness,” he explained.

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[Marcelo]

Samp prepare Cassano mission Thursday 7 February, 2008

Sampdoria sporting director Giuseppe Marotta reveals he is planning to discuss the future of Antonio Cassano with Real Madrid in the coming weeks.

Cassano has reinvented himself on loan at Marassi after a miserable spell at the Bernabeu and is back in the frame for an Azzurri place.

While the Bari native is due to return to Madrid in the summer, Samp are keen to keep him at the club, in spite of possible competition from Inter.

“We are happy with his time in the Blucerchiati shirt and we want to keep him for next season,” Marotta admitted on Radio Kiss Kiss.

“Lately Antonio has said that he wants the same thing. Within the next fortnight we will go to Madrid to discuss this.

He is having a good time and it is clear that he will be called to the national side if he can increase his consistency.

“I know that Napoli sporting director Pierpaolo Marino has said that if he had to choose between Ezequiel Lavezzi and Cassano, he would choose the Argentine. It’s only right that he would choose Lavezzi, but I would go for Cassano.”

Sampdoria continue to be plagued by inconsistency and a dismal away record that has seen them beaten eight times on their travels.

“As a side, our project is a new one and maybe that’s why we seem to be a different team at home and away,” Marotta mused.

“We have asked what the reason is for the difference in results, but we haven’t found an answer yet.

“Our objective is to do whatever we can to get into Europe and play some famous sides.”

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