Sampdoria ace Antonio Cassano has become too mellow, says his long-time mentor Eugenio Fascetti.

Fascetti launched Cassano's career at Bari and remains in touch with the former firebrand.

"Antonio has changed so much, unfortunately," he told the Gazzetta dello Sport. "I miss that crazy player with the fire in his veins and devil in his soul.

"Since going to Samp he seems sedated, almost as if he's repressing himself to prove he has changed. In my view his performances suffer for it.

"At the time he would take his foot off the accelerator against the small clubs, but now he crumbles psychologically with the top sides. He can't always be a phenomenon, but nor should he be as sluggish as he was against Juventus midweek."

He added: "He needs to be that irreverent and wild genius he was before. I won't accept him this relaxed. That fire can bring a great deal to Cassano the player, who still hasn't reached the level I expected him to over the last 10 years.

"I know and respect Marcello Lippi's choices, but I would offer a word in favour of Antonio. After all, if Cassano were to make a mistake, then the player would be the one to pay."