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Cassano's quest for redemption

Antonio Cassano will look to lead a rescue mission for UC Sampdoria as they go to Aalborg BK needing a win or a high-scoring draw to reach the group stage.

Antonio Cassano will look to spearhead a rescue mission for UC Sampdoria as they go to Aalborg BK needing a win or a high-scoring draw to reach the group stage.

Confidence returning
A 2-2 draw in the home leg of the tie against the Danish side has left Walter Mazzarri's side facing an early UEFA Cup exit, but having scored his first Serie A goal in 21 months in a 3-0 win against Atalanta BC at the weekend, one-time Italian international Cassano will be hoping to find the goals that send his side through to the group stage.

Improving form
The 25-year-old may make his first start of the season tonight after proving himself in three substitute appearances since arriving on a one-year loan from Real Madrid CF. Mazzarri is pleased with Cassano's burgeoning form, saying after Saturday's game: "I'm happy for him, because he is keeping his promise and is on the right track. If he carries on like this he will show all the qualities he showed in the past."

Ill-starred move
Cassano left AS Roma for Madrid in January 2006, but for all his undoubted skill, it was to prove an ill-starred move. In 19 Primera División appearances for the club – eleven of them as a substitute – he scored just twice, and even the arrival of compatriot Fabio Capello did not aid his cause, as a dispute with the coach saw him banished from training in October 2006. He eventually returned to the first team squad but an ankle injury ruined the rest of the season.

'We'll see'
The loan move to Sampdoria brought relief for Cassano, and now he has a great opportunity to justify Mazzarri's faith in his ability. The question now is whether he will start against AaB. "It's a possibility," said Mazzarri. "I have to think about the starting XI and the three substitutions, but I have to say that against Atalanta our attacking line was brilliant. We'll see."