Antonio Cassano was in the mood for talking. The 'new Antonio', as he defined himself when presented to the media at the Centro Sportivo Angelo Moratti today. Wearing a smile, overflowing with emotions and pointed. Without trying to hide the truth. With no fear.
Cassano is a happy man now and you can tell: "The most important thing for me was that Marco [Branca] and Piero [Ausliio] agreed with the coach about signing me. I want to thank president Moratti, who is in charge of it all and who welcomed me affectionately the other day, but also Marco and Piero, because when things aren't going so well everyone is quick to point it out, but when things are going well – given the excellent transfer business that has been done – nobody talks about it, because they're no good at licking you know what... I can tell you that I'm happy and it's very important for me that they've bought me, it's important that they've placed their trust in the 'new Antonio'.

Lots of questions from curious journalists, with the forward reminded of what he said the day he was unveiled as an AC Milan player ("There's nothing above Milan but the sky. If I mess up here I want locking away."). Cassano retorted: "I said 'if I mess up', but I wasn't the one who messed up. Somebody else who is above the coach messed up. He made promise after promise but it was all talk and no action, and that's why I had to leave. Do I mean Galliani? Those are your words... I would like to thank everyone at Milan and the fans. When I had my heart problem they gave me lots of support, my team-mates too. I'm not going to thank him, all talk and no action. I thank Silvio Berlusconi, who offered me all his support. I thank Barbara Berlusconi, who was really nice to me. Tavano, who saved my life, and Tassotti. Not others. And that's not ingratitude. And another thing: I said there's nothing above Milan but sky? After the sky - above the sky - there's Inter."

Antonio Cassano under the spotlight, with the whole stage for himself. Talking about himself, how he came to realise his Inter dream and more besides. He admitted that president Massimo Moratti has given him a few words of advice: "Yes, he's made a few suggestions. He likes me, the president has always had a soft spot for me, from the days when Mancini was around, but I was a nutter back then so he did the right thing not to sign me. I was off my head then but I've calmed down now. The president hugged me the other day, I'm happy, that was a nice gesture."
Cassano was then asked to explain how the swap deal with Pazzini came about so quickly. "You think it came about quickly. These gentlemen here [indicating Branca and Ausilio] were working on it for quite some time. They told me to keep it under my hat - if you chat too much you can end up doing nothing."

The new Nerazzurri striker was asked about his relationship with Andrea Stramaccioni and the coach's famous take-off of him: "I've known the boss since he was coaching the kids at Roma. He likes flair players. I've told him I'm going to show him only the genius in me, not my wild side [grinning]. Everyone has had good things to say about Stramaccioni and now I can say the same – with my own voice, not that voice he put on to do his imitation of me!"

Antonio went on to talk about how his life has changed since he overcome his health problems. "When you get to that point you see life differently, that's what happens when your life is in the balance. Now I'm thankful for even the smallest things. I think about my son, my wife, but I don't really want to go into it too much. I suffered immensely."

Back on the topic of the 'old' Cassano: "Of course I used to make mistakes, lots of mistakes, perhaps I'll keep making mistakes but not so often. Now I'm dealing with people who talk straight. Marco and Piero said to me, 'This is how things stand, if that's ok with you, good, if not, go elsewhere.' In other places there was a person who would only talk to those who approached him, not me. Which party has got the better deal out of this swap? Inter - who else would get the good deal? Inter."

Why all this bitterness from Cassano? "Am I saying these things because Galliani talked about a contract extension and then nothing came of it? There was talk of one... it was just talk though... But you should ask him, he's good at twisting things round to suit him. Some people only get on well with those who lick their... It was always 'tomorrow, tomorrow...' And then two of my friends left Milan. So first there were the promises never maintained, and then Thiago and Ibra, two players that you just can't replace, left the club. I'd been in contact with the coach during the Euros, I texted him and he sent my messages to Galliani... The fact is that the coach saw me as one of the lowest cards in his pack, I was the 5th, 6th, 7th choice striker. He said he couldn't promise me anything. The atmosphere wasn't good, I needed a change."

Antonio Cassano is happy, as he repeated several times during his press conference. He explained why: "Now I'm at a club that has decided to rebuild a team and try to win things. Inter have made a load of signings and they're all good. That's not the case elsewhere. Here everyone wanted me, unanimously. Wes, Zanetti, everyone. I'm here for Nagatomo too. I've got a thing for him and he'll find out soon because I'm going to play lots of jokes on him! He's my favourite already. Everyone here has given me a great welcome. I'm happy, I feel good. I want to win here and I'll do all I can to make everyone happy."

Antonio was asked who he would pick to play up front for Inter. He smiled: "Milito, Palacio, Sneijder. I've only been here for three days... When will I make my debut? That's up to the coach to decide. I'm only 50, 60% at the moment."
Cassano also revealed that he has spoken to "all my Milan team-mates because they were sorry that I left. Is it a shame Pazzini is no longer here now that I've joined? Giampaolo is a friend of mine. I hoped I would come here and he would stay but as he's said himself he's happy and it's right that he should look for a new challenge. At least people were honest with him here. They told him what the situation was straight away... Have I spoken to Ibra? We do speak, yes, but I want to keep to myself what he said to me. Gattuso hasn't said anything wrong either. It's not the players who are to blame. Some people just wash their hands like Pontius Pilate..."

On the subject of comings and goings, Cassano was quizzed about Maicon. "I asked him about his future and he said 'We'll see, I don't know'. All I can say is that if he were to stay I'd be the happiest man in the world." Then, turning to Branca, he quickly added "But don't fine me already! I'm not getting involved, just saying I'd be sorry."


Can you play as a target man? That was another question put to Cassano. He laughed and replied: "Target man? No, I'm no good. I'm not Milito. I've always played as a second striker. If the situation arises where I have to do a job in another role I will. Just maybe not as full-back..."

What about targets for the season? FantAntonio has no doubt about the Nerazzurri's chances: "Inter are definitely in the running. With the players that have been brought in we're second to none. We're in the running and we'll go for it. We can win things here. I want to be successful with this team, with this shirt."