Antonio Cassano lashed out at Max Allegri after 3 years of ‘slapdash football’ at Juventus, slammed Rafael Leao and said Jose Mourinho is ‘completely finished.’
The former Roma, Real Madrid, Inter, Milan and Italy star had become a regular pundit on Christian Vieri’s podcast before a falling out with the ex-striker.
On Sunday evening he broke his silence as a guest on RAI programme La Domenica Sportiva, and did not hold back in his opinions after watching Juventus struggle to a 1-0 win over Fiorentina.
“Inter are much, much stronger this season, but seeing as Allegri is a coach who says his career is based on results and he hasn’t won anything in three years, it’s time he stepped aside,” said Cassano.
“He already should’ve done it last season. Juve have 17 internationals and spent €160m on the transfer market, but they play slapdash football, the players can’t seem to string three passes together.”
On Sunday the Bianconeri had just 25 per cent possession against Fiorentina, despite being the home team and emerging with a 1-0 victory.
Allegri continues to maintain the only target was Champions League qualification, although for months they were in the Scudetto race.
“When he says Juve ought to finish fourth, it’s a laughing stock. Just look at Bologna, they play marvellous football and spent about €1.50,” added Cassano.
“Milan won the Scudetto with Krunic, Bennacer, Calabria and Kalulu, but Juve had a stronger squad that year. Napoli gave away three first-choice players, they signed Kvaratskhelia, Anguissa and went 20 points clear.”
FantAntonio implies the media coverage of the clubs has not been equal after pressure was piled on Stefano Pioli to be fired by Milan a few months ago.
“Pioli has always been crucified in the papers, because he is not friends with the journalists, whereas evidently someone loves Allegri.
“If we don’t change our attitude, we will become one of the worst leagues in Europe.”
Roma fired Mourinho in mid-January and have been transformed by Daniele De Rossi, a decision that Cassano fully agrees with.
“As a coach, Mourinho is now completely finished. He is not capable of coaching anymore, he is still doing the same things as 10 years ago.
“He wouldn’t play Paredes and preferred Bove to Pellegrini. De Rossi gave Roma the belief that this is a strong team, he’s doing an extraordinary job. He was always destined for this.”
Cassano was unimpressed with the performances of Milan star Rafael Leao, who has been linked with Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.
“Leao thinks he is a genius and some even agree with him. I just consider him a good player and I have not changed my mind on that.
“For five and a half months he didn’t score in a poor league like Serie A. Years ago, he would’ve struggled to play in the sixth or seventh team in Serie A.
“Look at Lautaro Martinez, now he is world class. He fights for the ball, scores goals, provides assists, battles all over the pitch. He is a leader in every way.”
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