Cassano: Balotelli reminds me of myself

The experienced attacker claims the AC Milan star's antics are all-too familiar to him, and believes Inter can qualify for the Champions League

Parma attacker Antonio Cassano admits he sees something of his younger self in Mario Balotelli.

Cassano, who played alongside Balotelli for Italy at Euro 2012, was regularly in the headlines for the wrong reasons as a young player and believes the mercurial AC Milan star has trod a similar path in his career to date.

"Mario is a great guy," Cassano was quoted as saying by Corriere dello Sport.

"He reminds me a bit of myself when I was 20 years old."

The 31-year-old joined Parma this summer after new Inter boss Walter Mazzarri made it clear he did not have a place in his plans.

While Cassano admits he remains a supporter of the club at heart, he could not resist taking a swipe at the former Napoli boss.

"Inter have a great coach, who is not so great as a person. I think they can achieve great things, though," he continued.

"I'm an Inter fan and will continue to cheer for them, not for Mazzarri. I don't care about him.

"I can see Inter finish in the Champions League places together with Napoli, while I expect Juventus to win the Scudetto."

Inter currently sit fourth in the Serie A table