MILAN - Sampdoria's Antonio Cassano, snubbed by Inter Milan when they were searching for a playmaker, has the perfect chance to show the champions they were wrong when the sides clash tomorrow.
Cassano has matured into the standout player in Serie A so far this season, helping Sampdoria win their opening four games of a top-flight season for the first time.
The skilful attacker, whose play in the past was undermined by childish antics on and off the field, was equally inspirational last season but Inter decided to sign Wesley Sneijder instead.
Cassano joked before the season that the only two people who did not want him were Inter coach Jose Mourinho and Italy boss Marcello Lippi, who continually overlooks the ex-Real Madrid man despite constant media calls for his inclusion.
There will be no jokes in Genoa tomorrow with Sampdoria needing to rediscover their form after Wednesday's 2-0 defeat at Fiorentina knocked Luigi Del Neri's side off top spot.
Mourinho returns to the Inter bench following his one-game ban in Wednesday's 3-1 home win over Napoli and could make changes to the line-up with one eye on Tuesday's Champions League clash against Rubin Kazan in Russia.
While Inter are moving into top gear, AC Milan are still scratching around for their best 11 and some fluidity. Coach Leonardo said he was reasonably happy with the performance in Wednesday's 1-0 defeat by Udinese and Ronaldinho's bright display as a substitute could put him in line for a start at home to Bari on Sunday. - Reuters
Cassano could prove Inter wrong
MILAN - Sampdoria's Antonio Cassano, snubbed by Inter Milan when they were searching for a playmaker, has the perfect chance to show the champions they were wrong when the sides clash tomorrow.
Cassano has matured into the standout player in Serie A so far this season, helping Sampdoria win their opening four games of a top-flight season for the first time.
The skilful attacker, whose play in the past was undermined by childish antics on and off the field, was equally inspirational last season but Inter decided to sign Wesley Sneijder instead.
Cassano joked before the season that the only two people who did not want him were Inter coach Jose Mourinho and Italy boss Marcello Lippi, who continually overlooks the ex-Real Madrid man despite constant media calls for his inclusion.
There will be no jokes in Genoa tomorrow with Sampdoria needing to rediscover their form after Wednesday's 2-0 defeat at Fiorentina knocked Luigi Del Neri's side off top spot.
Mourinho returns to the Inter bench following his one-game ban in Wednesday's 3-1 home win over Napoli and could make changes to the line-up with one eye on Tuesday's Champions League clash against Rubin Kazan in Russia.
While Inter are moving into top gear, AC Milan are still scratching around for their best 11 and some fluidity. Coach Leonardo said he was reasonably happy with the performance in Wednesday's 1-0 defeat by Udinese and Ronaldinho's bright display as a substitute could put him in line for a start at home to Bari on Sunday. - Reuters