Cassano hails Roma boss

(GSM) – Antonio Cassano has praised Roma boss Claudio Ranieri for his support at Juventus and promised to celebrate if he scores against former club Roma.

The Sampdoria starlet walked out on the Giallorossi following a series of rows with tacticians and teammates, going on to Real Madrid and now Marassi.

“We hope it will be a great night for us, for Sampdoria and for our objectives,” Cassano told the Sky Sport Italia.

“When I return to the Olimpico I certainly won’t receive a bunch of flowers. I always get insulted, but that’s football and it’ll remain just a game. Of course I’ll celebrate, as the only club I won’t do that for is my hometown side, Bari,” Sampdoria forward commented.

Cassano notoriously clashed with Francesco Totti, who he considered to be a friend before their bust-up.

“We certainly don’t talk much, but we have made up. I have played with legends like Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Raul, but nobody understood me like Totti.

“He was the player I had the most fun with and who got the best out of me in my career,” he explained his time with Roma skipper Totti.

Cassano also had praise for Roma boss Ranieri, praising his decision to substitute Totti and Daniele De Rossi during the derby.

“Ranieri proved he had two impressive stones! I admire him a great deal, because during his time at Juve he was the only one who would support my arrival.

“He did everything to bring me to Turin and I always thank him for that gesture. I hope that at least he can get to the Italy squad,” Cassano said about Roma boss.

Cassano also shared much information of other tacticians in his life with Sky Sports Italia, including Sampdoria boss, Gigi Del Neri who had frozen him out for not working hard enough.

“By scoring in my way, following my instinct, I scored more than 100 goals in my career. There must be a reason. I don’t think that I was that bad.

“But every Coach has his own mentality. The Sampdoria boss made a decision and locked me out. I grudgingly accepted it, but he is a Coach and I am a player. Everyone saw what I can do on the pitch.

“Jose Mourinho is currently the number one manager in the world, absolutely, for what he has done and is still doing. He has character, wisdom, intelligence and on a tactical level he’s phenomenal,” he talked about Inter boss.