Antonio Cassano knows all about controversy. The often outspoken star Sampdoria man was spurned from the Italian side’s World Cup roster this summer despite his excellent form in the last few Serie A seasons. And the defending champs from 2006 proved that they could have used the secondary striker’s skills this summer when they were bounced from the first round of the event.
But that was then and this is now and Cassano is still a valuable member of the top four hopefuls this season. And with the huge additions made at AC Milan this off season and the fact that Inter were treble winners last season, few footballers and critics alike believe in any other team having a shot at hoisting the Scudetto this season.
Well, Cassano’s pick isn’t either of those sides and it isn’t his own team or Roma’s either. Cassano believes after recently playing Juventus to a 3-3 draw that they are in fact the best team in the league. And the popular Italian-born forward wasn’t afraid to speak his mind about this year’s race for the Serie A title. Cassano told Mediaset:
I have said that Juve could be favourites in the fight for the Scudetto because they have a great coach like Del Neri. They must only play how he wants. At Sampdoria we also need a little bit of time. Del Neri can do a good job because he is an extraordinary coach. You’ll see another Juve.
And although Juventus has brought in plenty of fresh faces including: Fabio Quagliarella, Alberto Aquilani, Milos Krasic and Simone Pepe; I still think that Cassano is really making this declaration because of his positive relationship with his former coach Luigi Delneri, who is now the coach of the disappointing side from last season.
But regardless of what you think of Cassano’s bold prediction, you still have to admit that Juventus is clearly a better squad then they were a year back even without a healthy Buffon. And that fact will make achieving the top four that much harder for team’s like Sampdoria this season.
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