The result of Cassano's exclusion was not unexpected, because as early as when Sampdoria applied to the Serie A League Discipline Committee for an early termination of his contract, Prandelli had openly stated: "I will not recruit a player who violates team discipline. If he cannot get playing opportunities in the club, then there is no reason to call him up to the national team." Indeed, Prandelli fulfilled his promise. Not only was Cassano excluded from the national team, but his days at Sampdoria were not much better either. He had apologized on television to his teammates and chairman Garrone at Sampdoria, but they did not accept it. Since the conflict with Garrone erupted, the boy from Bari has not played a single minute. But Cassano does not need to worry excessively about his future, because some teams have already set their sights on him.
To this day, the chairman of Sampdoria has not forgiven Cassano: "After I made those decisions, people meeting me on the road hoped that I would show mercy. But I am unwilling to violate my football principles, so I must continue firmly down this path." It seems that Cassano is bound to leave Sampdoria. Even if the rumors about Real Madrid are baseless, Cassano's agent Pozzo really has his work cut out.
On Monday, Prandelli announced the new list of national team members for the friendly match against Romania in the middle of the week. As people had previously predicted, Cassano, who was embroiled in a serious dispute with Sampdoria chairman Garrone, was not selected. In the starting lineup that Prandelli announced in advance, the No. 10 jersey that Cassano used to wear was taken by Balotelli.