Yeah, great gesture for his last Azzurri game. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/realmad.gif)

Gigi Buffon explains why it was “natural” to give Antonio Cassano the captain’s armband against Spain.
The Bari native revealed he was surprised when coming back from the warm-up at his hometown stadium, the San Nicola, to find the armband on his locker.

“In all honesty, these are natural gestures and it came to mind yesterday. It seemed fairly normal considering it was a friendly and he’d care about this,” smiled the goalkeeper after Italy’s 2-1 victory.

“For me it’s an honour to wear the armband, but this squad has many captains. If we can give this honour to someone else on a special occasion, then I’m happy.

“It was such a natural issue that there’s no need to even comment on it. There’s mutual respect and affection between us all. If we had played in Brescia, then Andrea Pirlo would’ve had the armband.”

However, Buffon admitted there was also something more to giving Cassano a sense of responsibility.

“Behind that gesture there was also the meaning of what he can do for this team. Maybe even Antonio doesn’t know how much he matters to us in the locker room and on the field.

“He must know it’s up to him to be strong, do the work and be ready for Euro 2012.”

Italy boss Cesare Prandelli has told Antonio Cassano what he has to do to make sure of his place at Euro 2012.

There were suggestions that the attacker could consider a summer move seeing as he isn’t guaranteed first team football at Milan.

However, the Azzurri tactician has told him that he doesn’t necessarily need to play in every game to win his call.

“It’s not important whether he is guaranteed a first team shirt or not,” the former Fiorentina boss stated.

“What is key is that he maintains a good physical condition. If that happens then I wouldn’t be surprised if he is always playing by the end of the season.”

Cassano has some real tough competition for a place at Milanello given the presence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Alexandre Pato and Robinho amongst others.

That's better from Prandelli!Though,I think he realized how much Cassano is important for this Italy,so he changed his decision.Specially,that Cassano insisted he didn't want to leave Milan.(from the way things went)Hopefully,this will give us a fit Cassano for Milan (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) .He looked good against Spain,but his finishing skills are Robinho-like.

He looked good against Spain,but his finishing skills are Robinho-like.

what swear filter, there's no filter!

what swear filter, there's no filter!

The agent of Antonio Cassano doesn’t expect to be dealing with his client’s future over the next seven days. “He’ll stay at Milan.”

The Italian international has been linked with a Rossoneri exit for most of the summer, but Beppe Bozzo believes he will remain at Milanello.

“Milan are a great club and before you leave you’d have to think about it a thousand times,” the representative noted.

“I imagine that Antonio’s future will be with Milan until 2014 and, although there are no certainties, I hope that he honours his contract.”

Cassano was rumoured to be considering his options given that he isn’t guaranteed a first team shirt at the club ahead of Euro 2012.

Fact: Since joining Milan, Cassano played 1194 mins & involved in a goal/assist each 85 mins (Better than Pato, Ibra, Robinho)

Today imo was one of his best performances for Milan since the Parma game last season. Worked his @ss off, which is great to see. 2 questionable calls went against him, he deserved a goal for all his work. Plus he seems to have good understanding with EL Shaarawy as well.