Italy coach Roberto Donadoni has criticised Sampdoria striker Antonio Cassano for acting immaturely.

Cassano, 25, had been tipped for a return to the Italy squad but was banned for five matches after insulting and throwing his shirt at a referee during a Serie A draw with Torino.

"It's not us that have to make the change - he has to do something about it," Donadoni admitted of the on-loan Real Madrid player, who has had disciplinary problems in the past both in Spain and at former club Roma.

"Antonio is a person that I like a lot and he knows that. He is one of those people that you are unable to dislike.

"But he is no longer a youngster and he must understand that there are certain things you cannot do.

"He says that once in a while he loses it but he needs to try to control himself."

The ban, handed out at the beginning of March, may have put paid to his hopes of representing the Azzurri at the 2008 European Championships in June. Cassano has already served two matches of the ban and is expected to return for the trip to Empoli at the end of the month.

Reda Maher / Eurosport