"I'm sure we'll win something this season with Capello"
Cassano finally spoke to Realmadrid.com and Real Madrid TV in Salt Lake City. He was relaxed, kind, and cheery throughout the whole interview, and only became serious when he reflected on this past season. With Fabio Capello at the helm, he is convinced of winning titles for the Santiago Bernabéu fans and supporters who, above all, "want players to work really hard. "Il Talentino confessed that more than competing with Raúl, Ronaldo or Van Nistelrooy, what he wants is to help the team in any way he can
You know, your expression's really changed of late; you look happier.
That's because Fabio Capello really believes in me. This doesn't mean that I'll be a starter this season, but I'm happy anyway because he's thinking of me, and that's very important.
That's the key word, isn't it, "belief"?
Absolutely. It's the most important thing in this game. It doesn't matter if I play or not, but what how well I perform when I actually play.
The other day, Real Madrid's 2nd coach, Italo Galbiati, said that a happy Cassano is a guarantee of great football and goals.
He's right. He knows me very well and knows that when I'm happy I can deliver my best. On the other hand, he also knows that if I'm in low spirits, I can be a disaster! I only hope I don't get to that point!
That belief in yourself can clash with the other forwards, namely Raúl, Ronaldo, Robinho, Van Nistelrooy...
I'm not worried about that. The most important thing is for all of us to be in good shape so that Real Madrid can win. Whoever plays or not is secondary. If Robinho, Raúl, Ronaldo or Van Nistelrooy play instead of me and the team gets what they aimed for, I won't mind because that's what's really important.
The fact that you know Capello's methods works in your favor.
That may be, especially during training sessions, but he doesn't tell players if they're going to play personally. If you're doing a good job then you will. I may or may not feel fit, but it is his decision at the end of the day. I fully believe in his working methods.
What can you offer Capello?
Availability, always, no matter if I play down the middle or down the left
One thing is for sure: you have been a totally different player during this pre-season than last season.
Well, when I arrived in January I wasn't in good shape. I also wasn't used to Spanish football and to a club like Real Madrid, which is very different to Roma. It was hard at first, but I think it is now clear I've adapted well to the team and to the city.
What hurt you most of all the criticism surrounding you back then?
I didn't really care about anything that was being said. That's how the press is, you know? In this world, when you score two goals you're very good and you're not when you don't. The media should only talk and write about football, nothing else. Ever since I arrived, they started criticising but I never had any problems with it because I know how to salvage that kind of situation. Once again, I don't have any problems whatsoever. I only think about having a great season with my teammates. I'm sure positive things will be said of Cassano then.
Cassano finally spoke to Realmadrid.com and Real Madrid TV in Salt Lake City. He was relaxed, kind, and cheery throughout the whole interview, and only became serious when he reflected on this past season. With Fabio Capello at the helm, he is convinced of winning titles for the Santiago Bernabéu fans and supporters who, above all, "want players to work really hard. "Il Talentino confessed that more than competing with Raúl, Ronaldo or Van Nistelrooy, what he wants is to help the team in any way he can
You know, your expression's really changed of late; you look happier.
That's because Fabio Capello really believes in me. This doesn't mean that I'll be a starter this season, but I'm happy anyway because he's thinking of me, and that's very important.
That's the key word, isn't it, "belief"?
Absolutely. It's the most important thing in this game. It doesn't matter if I play or not, but what how well I perform when I actually play.
The other day, Real Madrid's 2nd coach, Italo Galbiati, said that a happy Cassano is a guarantee of great football and goals.
He's right. He knows me very well and knows that when I'm happy I can deliver my best. On the other hand, he also knows that if I'm in low spirits, I can be a disaster! I only hope I don't get to that point!
That belief in yourself can clash with the other forwards, namely Raúl, Ronaldo, Robinho, Van Nistelrooy...
I'm not worried about that. The most important thing is for all of us to be in good shape so that Real Madrid can win. Whoever plays or not is secondary. If Robinho, Raúl, Ronaldo or Van Nistelrooy play instead of me and the team gets what they aimed for, I won't mind because that's what's really important.
The fact that you know Capello's methods works in your favor.
That may be, especially during training sessions, but he doesn't tell players if they're going to play personally. If you're doing a good job then you will. I may or may not feel fit, but it is his decision at the end of the day. I fully believe in his working methods.
What can you offer Capello?
Availability, always, no matter if I play down the middle or down the left
One thing is for sure: you have been a totally different player during this pre-season than last season.
Well, when I arrived in January I wasn't in good shape. I also wasn't used to Spanish football and to a club like Real Madrid, which is very different to Roma. It was hard at first, but I think it is now clear I've adapted well to the team and to the city.
What hurt you most of all the criticism surrounding you back then?
I didn't really care about anything that was being said. That's how the press is, you know? In this world, when you score two goals you're very good and you're not when you don't. The media should only talk and write about football, nothing else. Ever since I arrived, they started criticising but I never had any problems with it because I know how to salvage that kind of situation. Once again, I don't have any problems whatsoever. I only think about having a great season with my teammates. I'm sure positive things will be said of Cassano then.
