There have been some volcanic characters in Italian soccer over the years, but when it comes to spewing magma and magnetism no one matches Antonio Cassano. And in the biggest gamble of the January transfer window, AC Milan signed Cassano in the hopes that he can help fire the team to its first Scudetto since the 2003-04 season.
The former Bari wonder boy is the Mount Vesuvius of Calcio. His epic temper tantrums have buried teams and himself. But he's just one of those players who no matter how obscene his behavior -- he has a lengthy rap sheet -- I can't help but root for and hope he gets his act together so he can play to his potential. Cassano has technique, flair and charisma aplenty, a rare, wondrous combination in today's game.
But what I really love about Cassano is that he clearly loves playing football. The trouble is he doesn't always want to play the game demanded by disciplined coaches and self-aggrandizing owners. From Roma to Real Madrid and most recently at Sampdoria, Cassano has produced highlight reel moments of virtuosity, but his aura of arrested development has made him toxic to such pillars of the Italian game as Fabio Capello and Marcello Lippi.
Would a motivated Cassano have made a difference in South Africa for Lippi's Azzurri team last summer at the World Cup? It's not beyond the realm of possibility. Then again, he could have erupted in a manner that might have given France's enfant terrible Nicolas Anelka pause for thought. Clearly, Lippi didn't want to take the chance. How desperately does the Rossoneri brass want to win Serie A this season? For the answer, you only need to look at the massive risk they are taking with Cassano.
After watching city rival Inter not only dominate Serie A in recent seasons but also lift the Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2010, the rumbling heard around the Milanello training complex is that of another volcanic ego of Italian soccer, AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi.
Berlusconi also doubles as Italy's prime minister and between political crises, legal troubles and sex scandals he's had quite a lot on his plate of late. But he still has his priorities in order. Upon Cassano's arrival from Sampdoria, Berlusconi took time from all of the above to declare him "one of the greatest Italian talents." There was a time when Sampdoria owner Riccardo Garrone probably shared that sentiment, but not anymore. He spent the latter part of 2010 trying to have Cassano's contract rescinded after reportedly being the recipient of a profanity-laced tirade from his truculent star. Like Ricky Gervais at Sunday's Golden Globes, Cassano suddenly discovered that you could insult the big dogs for only so long before the egos stop being checked at the door.
Banished from the Sampdoria training ground for two months or so, Cassano arrived in Milan out of shape but with renewed energy and what he claims is a new attitude. One thing is the same: The boy can play. In his first two matches for Milan, his deft passes set up Rodney Strasser's winning goal at Cagliari, and his two goals were key in a 4-4 home draw with Udinese. And against Lecce last Sunday, his brief substitute appearance included a couple of perfect crosses that Zlatan Ibrahimovic was inches away (and one big-time Antonio Rosati reaction save) from turning into the winning goal.
Can Cassano stay on track and help Milan stay at the top of Serie A? After all these centuries it be wonderful to see another Renaissance taking root in Milan. But Cassano's history suggests a lovely honeymoon period quickly followed by fiery lava flows. Let's hope it's otherwise this time. I prefer Cassano in his pomp to his becoming soccer's version of Pompeii.