#TBT: THE CROSSED PATHS OF CASSANO AND PAZZINI
History
Two careers that crossed paths on plenty of occasions. Reminiscent of the Mancini-Vialli duo, Cassano and Pazzini were two players at the heart of Sampdoria’ success in qualifying for Europe back in May 2010. However, having just missed out on the Champions League group stage as they were knocked out in the play-offs, the careers of the Blucerchiati twins were divided. By January 2011 they were both playing in Milan, Antonio Cassano for the Rossoneri and Giampaolo Pazzini for our Nerazzurri neighbours.
FantAntonio made his debut in the second half of our game against Cagliari, with President Berlusconi having named him as the “best Italian talent” just the day before at the Borghesiana sports centre in Rome. With Ibra suspended, the Rossoneri won that day in Cagliari thanks to Strasser’s goal, the assist coming from Cassano himself.
Just over a year and a half after that match, the tables turned, with each striker moving the other way. In the summer of 2012, Cassano signed for Inter and Pazzini became AC Milan’s latest signing. “Il Pazzo” scored plenty of important goals in the Rossoneri’s quest for Champions League qualification but unfortunately fell gravely injured in May 2013, having to undergo surgery on his knee cartilage.
He began a long and delicate rehabilitation programme, but in January 2014 he was back, and it was Pazzini himself who netted the injury-time winner for the Rossoneri against Cagliari, Milan making the journey home with the three points after the 2-1 end result in Sardinia. Two games away to Cagliari three years apart, but Cassano and Pazzini both knew how to make the difference.
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