Cassano given go-ahead to resume playing
Reuters - Tuesday 03 April 2012, 11:05
AC Milan forward Antonio Cassano
can resume playing again after undergoing heart surgery last
November in a boost to Italy's Euro 2012 hopes.
Cassano was passed fit following a scientific legal
evaluation at the Institute of Sports Medicine in Milan, the
Serie A champions said on Tuesday.
The 29-year-old underwent minor heart surgery in November
after falling ill on the plane back from a match against Roma,
sidelining him just as he had hit one of the best spells of his
career.
Cassano was Italy's top scorer in the Euro 2012 qualifiers
with six goals and has become a regular under coach Cesare
Prandelli after he was overlooked by his precessor Marcello
Lippi.
Born in Bari, Cassano has had a colourful career marked by
tantrums and personality clashes but his early immaturities
looked to have been ironed out when he joined Sampdoria from
Real Madrid in 2007.
However, a verbal spat with the Samp president led to his
suspension in 2010 and he joined Milan at the start of last
year.
Cassano became a key factor in their Serie A triumph in May
and was enjoying another good season until he fell ill.