Buffon boost for Cassano as Azzuri gear-up for qualifiers

ITALY goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has offered exiled star Antonio Cassano some hope in making it into Marcelo Lippi’s squad for next summer’s World Cup in South Africa.

Despite ‘Il Talentino’ being frozen out of the upcoming qualifiers by Lippi, Buffon doesn’t believe the World Cup-winning tactician has excluded the Sampdoria man from future call ups.

“I don’t see this as a definite exclusion, all Lippi said was that Cassano not being here was his choice and it should be respected,” Buffon said yesterday.