Cassano delighted with call up

Antonio Cassano has today expressed his feelings on the call up to the Italian national side, wishing to express particular thanks to coach Roberto Donadoni.

The troubled Sampdoria striker has always had the talent and this season he seems to have finally learned how to control his emotions.

He made his way to Sampdoria after failed spells at AS Roma and in particular Real Madrid. This season, he has shown why he is so highly rated.

Speaking after hearing of his call up to the Azzuri side, he said:

Last August, the day I was presented to Sampdoria, I underlined that a return to the national team for the Euro 2008 was one of my goals: to have reached this goal at the end of a thrilling season like the one I had with Samp makes me even happier and even more proud."

He went on to thank Donadoni by saying, "Then I obviously have to thank Donadoni: I stressed more than once that whatever he decided, our relationship would not change. He always maintained with me a relationship of high regard and honesty; I hope that I can be useful to his cause, which is also the goal of the team and of all Italians."