Love him or hate him, no one can say Antonio Cassano is boring.

The controversial striker, on loan at Sampdoria from Real Madrid, has fallen out with just about every manager who has ever coached him following numerous tantrums.

Earlier this month he was fined after approaching the touchline and shouting obscenities at Reggina coach Renzo Ulivieri, who had accused him of diving.

In Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Fiorentina, the Italian showed a softer side when he burst into tears after receiving a booking which rules him out of this weekend’s game at his favourite former club Roma.

His performance brought a new meaning to the phrase drama queen and put Paul Gascoigne’s mild whimpering at Italia 90 to shame. Cassano ranted before collapsing to the floor like a troublesome two-year-old and blubbered on and off for the rest of the match, finding time to score a great headed equaliser before being substituted.

Fiorentina’s Adrian Mutu and Christian Vieri tried to calm him down but Cassano was still crying in the dugout and well after the final whistle.

His love for Roma, where he openly admitted this week he would like to return, may have annoyed some Sampdoria fans but not others.

A Genoa baker has invented a new cake inspired by Cassano. The Dolcekassano is surprisingly sweet and over-exuberant just like its namesake.
     
The cake includes almonds from Bari, Cassano’s home town, and is topped off with a flake to make it a 99 — Cassano’s shirt number at Samp.

Mark Meadows, Milan