Last month, he was left off the squad even though Giuseppe Rossi and Antonio Cassano were injured.

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Germany stood off Pirlo, allowing the Italy playmaker to sweep a pass out to Giorgio Chiellini who fed Antonio Cassano.

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Meanwhile, ahead of the new season a major transfer switch was completed Wednesday with AC Milan and Inter agreeing to swap strikers Giampaolo Pazzini and Antonio Cassano.

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Trailing three points behind Madrid are Roma , who eventually overcame 10-man Genk with a late Antonio Cassano goal after Jan Moons was sent off inside 10 minutes.

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The veteran coach is well known for maintaining an even keel but in Tuesday's press conference he lost his cool when asked about Antonio Cassano's continued absence from the squad.

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Having suffered a shock home defeat against Siena on Sunday, Inter responded by moving up to fourth after winning 2-0 at Chievo, thanks to goals from Alvaro Pereira and Antonio Cassano.

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He lost his place in the Milan starting XI when Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho joined last summer, and with Antonio Cassano having signed from Sampdoria this week, there is no space for him in Allegri's line-up.

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Italy, who caused such a shock with a 2-1 win over Germany in the semifinals, responded with a pair of Antonio Cassano efforts, but with Mario Balotelli unable to make much impression they always looked second best.

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Spurs were involved in the day's most dramatic game as they took a 3-0 lead to Inter Milan -- only to find themselves level on aggregate after 90 minutes as the rampant Italians scored through the lively Antonio Cassano, Rodrigo Palacio and a William Gallas own goal.

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