PauL (Nov 28, 1998) Although these two players played together for just more than 20 minutes, but they had shown what the future looks like.

Baggio said "this can be a really good team. We have such a strong squad and for me it is wonderful to play in this team. I know we can make it successful. The start of the season has not been fantastic, but now we can begin again. This has been a difficult time for the club, for me and for many of the players. Now, I hope it is over."

His teammate Ronaldo said "it was great to play with him. It worked well. We were a good pair. Of course, we need to work together. It is up to the coach to decide what happens, but I am feeling stronger and fitter and this was a great signal for the future for us both and for the squad. It was easy to see the effect of Baggio in this match, I think. Roberto did a lot of good things to help me. He runs cleverly with the ball and takes defenders' attention away. It gives me a little more time and opportunity. But everyone in the team did well in this match."

Baggio said "I enjoyed the goals and the match, but they were more for the squad, the coach and the president than they were for me. I hope this result is the start we wanted -- now we must work on it and keep winning."

Baggio sends comfort to Del Piero

PauL (Nov 12, 1998) As reported by Agence France-Presse, Baggio told the Juventus player be patient with his injury. Del Piero was injuried during the match on Sunday, he will be out for about 5 months.

Baggio said "I feel great disappointment and also great solidarity for Alex. No-one more than me can understand what he's going through at the moment. The only advice I could give him would be to not to rush things. I tried to take things too quickly once and I lost two years. It's better if he just concentrates on making a good recovery."

On the other hand, Inter Milan luckily drew with Serie C team Castel di Sangro, the result was 1-1. Baggio finally played again, and played until the 60th minute. Inter through to the quarter final of Italian Cup with an aggregate of 2-1.

Baggio waited until 75th minute

PauL (Sep 6, 1998) Italy beat Wales yesterday 2-0, with a goal in the first half by Diego Fuser, and another by Christian Vieri.

Baggio substituted Del Piero just 15 minutes before the end of the match, but he helped Vieri to scored his goal. Overall, the performance of Italy was unimpressive. However, Baggio said that this was a good result after the disappointing World Cup.

He said "the team played well. The Welsh did their best to unsettle us with a lot of strong challenges but we knew we could contest on a physical level and then start to play football. It was not a great game but the result was the important thing."

Baggio on the other hand stated that he was disappointed by the decision that he would start on the bench, although the coach has changed. He told Reuters "today the manager said I was not to start and I have to accept that. Hopefully it will change in the future. But no doubt if I start, people will be calling for Del Piero to replace me."

Baggio wanted to play with Djorkaeff

PauL (Aug 25, 1998) Roberto asked Inter on Monday to let him play together with his teammate Youri Djorkaeff.

The fact that they are the same kind of player, playmaker, in the field makes the coach Gigi Simoni embarrassed. However the French player remined him that he won the World Cup with Zidane, who was also a playmaker.

Baggio said on Monday "Why can't I play with Djorkaeff? I'm over my muscle injury and I feel fine. And I'd like to have a go at playing with Youri." It's good to know that his injury is over, and now all we can do is to wait for Wednesday, to know whether they, Baggio and Djorkaeff, can play alongside each other or not.

President happy with Baggio's performance

PauL (Aug 15, 1998) Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti was happy about Baggio's performance on Wednesday, he said "we soon realised who Baggio is. Three assists for three goals and then one of his own is a wonderful way to start. It's as if he's been with us for ages."

Baggio said "the important thing was just to make a good start with Inter. It was tough going in the first half, partly because of the heat, but things got gradually better after that. This is just fine for the moment, I'll think about the national side further down the road."

The match started with a minute's silence to commemorate the 17th anniversary of the death of Moratti's father, Angelo, a club president for 13 years and had once contributed to the success of Inter, included 2 European Cup champions. The symbolism was not lost on Baggio here as Inter started the 1998/99 edition of that same competition.

"This victory is for Moratti," he said. "Because this was an important night for the president. We wanted to do well, and we managed it. He came to see us in the dressing rooms afterwards and seemed happy. And that made all of us even happier."

Ronaldo is also looking forward to lining up with Baggio in Inter's 'Dream Team' attack for next season. Ronaldo told the Gazzetta dello Sport that "I've spoken to the coach on the telephone and I wished him well for the game against Skonto Riga." And he warned the rest of the Serie A with this: "Baggio is a great player. I think we can do great things together."

Italy - Inter - Baggio

PauL (Aug 11, 1998) On Monday, Baggio told his rival that he would do his best with both Inter Milan and the national team next season.

Inter will be in Serie A and European Champions League, while Italian national team will be in the qualifying games of Euro 2000. When he was asked to choose one from these three as the main target, Baggio said "I don't want to choose or to put them in any order. The important thing is to aim for all three and perhaps, with the help of the squad, it will go well on all three fronts."

When talking about Inter, he commented that "there's no doubt about, this is a great group of players. They're very good technically and they're modest with it; and I think that's fundamental for any team."

Roberto will start playing for Inter officially in Wednesday's Champions League preliminary round game against Skonto Riga of Latvia. He said "the Champions League is a very important objective for us, and let's hope we make a good start. We've seen some tapes (of Skonto Riga) but we'll studying them more closely today and tomorrow. You have to be careful against any club in the European Cup. There are no easy games, and if you underestimate a side that you don't know well you could end up with a very nasty surprise. We cannot afford to make a single mistake."

He cared more about team work than personal stuff, he said "I've only played 60 minutes of football so far, so I think the most important thing is that we get a good result as a team. My own personal performance is something that I'm overly interested in. I'm working very hard in training at the moment because I arrived here after most of the other players. But I feel pretty good and I think I can give a bit of experience and a bit of reassurance to the team, even though there are some great players here who won't need any of that." Baggio also quipped that "it's my second experience of the Champions League, let's hope it lasts longer than the first." But then seriously added "that was with a different team, it was a few years ago and for me it's in the past. At the moment, the only thing on my mind is Inter."

Baggio urges new coach Zoff to keep him in national team

PauL (Aug 8, 1998) Baggio on Friday gave Zoff a message: "Keep me in the team!"

Baggio hoped that he would be in the team when Italy meets Wales on 5th September, a qualifier of 2000 European Championships, he said "my desire to be in the national team is as strong as it is for all the other players. And with my experience, I can't see any reason why I shouldn't be aiming for it."

While Zoff only explained that Baggio and Del Piero playing together would depend on their physical condition.

Roberto will have Ronaldo, Zamorano, Djorkaeff, Moriero, Bergomi and Pagliuca as his teammates, and he can play in European Champions League, there is no doubt that he will be in good condition.

Internazionale Milano no.10 player -- Roberto Baggio

PauL (Jul 29, 1998) Roberto Baggio will replace Ronaldo as the no.10 player in Inter Milan.

On Tuesday, in the club's headquarters, Baggio went to his first news conference with Inter after he moved from Bologna. Outside the 17th century mansion, hundreds of fans was waiting, some even clinging to the iron window rails of the building.

Baggio said he was touched, and he also confessed he had dreamed of playing with Ronaldo, he said "it's passed through my mind a lot in these last few days. It's an exciting thought, giving the ball to Ronaldo and putting him through on goal, bringing out the best of his pace and strength."

Indeed, before the news conference, Baggio was afraid of a frosty reception from some Inter supporters, because of his rejection of Inter and heading towards AC Milan in 1995, "instead, they've given me a great show of affection. It shows that, apart from supporting their club, there's a lot of support for me to play at national level too. It's important to have a place in the hearts of so many people," he said.

When asked if he thought it was 3 years late, he replied "Every decision seems to be the best decision at the time you take it. What happened three years ago belongs to the past."

While talking about the things about Ronaldo before the World Cup final, Baggio defended him and said "(Ronaldo) is always under an enourmous amount of pressure -- no sleep, lots of travel, lots of stress. These things happen," he continued "maybe I live a different kind of life. I go out hunting in the countryside to get away from it all."

At this time someone asked whether he would take Ronaldo together when he went to hunt next time, he offered the reply "Sure, why not?"

3-man attack, possible?

PauL (Jun 13, 1998) Cesare Maldini said on Friday that in the next match against Cameroon, he may try a 3-man attack with Baggio, Del Piero and Vieri. There is no problem with this because Baggio had played with Del Piero in Juventus in the past, and Del Piero had played with Vieri in Juventus as well, Baggio, in the match against Chile on Thursday, played with Vieri which was good! A 3-man attack is a good idea, Italy can win with these 3 Juventus stars playing together.

Baggio helps Italy with great performance

PauL (Jun 12, 1998) Italy's first match in World Cup '98 has the result of 2-2, with 1 pass and 1 goal by Roberto Baggio, who plays the whole match.

After 10 minutes, a long pass by Paolo Maldini goes to Baggio, and he immediately pass a great ball to Christian Vieri, who then scores. However, just before the break, Chilian Salas scores the equalizer.

In the second half, Baggio continues playing infield. But Salas scores again, and Chile is leading 2-1. With his great performance with the white shirt Italy, Baggio has a reward back, he gets the ball on the right hand side of the box in the 39th minute, and his pass causes a hand ball by Chile player which then becomes a penalty, and Roberto takes the penalty by himself, and he scores! A goal means so much to him as well as Italy, because 1 point is better than nothing. The final scores -- Italy 2-2 Chile.

Apart from the two goals, Baggio's performance is supreme, with couple of great passes to Vieri or Inzaghi, as well as some good free kick. Although no one knows whether he can start in the next match against Camaroon or not, but there is one thing I am sure of, he has given a good impression to the World as he had in World Cup '94!

Italy last friendly before World Cup, Baggio scored twice

PauL (Jun 8, 1998) On Sunday, Italy played their last friendly match against a local club in Oise, in which the Italian won 7-0. Baggio started the game with Vieri, who had once stayed in Australia, but he only played 45 minutes. However Baggio got 2 goals, he opened the scoring after 16 minutes after slicing through the centre of the French defence and claimed his second with a perfectly weighted lob before the half hour. Plus 2 goals by mid-fielder Di Matteo and a hat-trick by forward Inzaghi, Italy won 7-0.

Although Inzaghi scored 3 goals, Baggio and Vieri will probably be the starting forwards in the first World Cup game vs Chile.

Baggio relishes future with Ronaldo

PauL (Jun 7, 1998) Baggio thinks that playing with Ronaldo will be good. "It'll be great playing alongside Ronaldo next season. I'm looking forward to it," he told Reuters after Italy's first training session in France, "On paper we should be perhaps the strongest partnership in Serie A but it'll be extremely difficult. Everybody will be out to stop us. Inter's fans will naturally expect the club to do better than last year and that means winning the league."

Inter finished second to Juventus last season and, although they qualified for the Champions' League, have set their sights on the "scudetto", which they have not won since 1991.

Baggio said "It goes to show life can start again at 31."

Baggio joins Inter

PauL (Jun 6, 1998) On Friday, Baggio agrees to sign a 2-year contract with Inter, and a 1-year option. According to RAI, Bologna is able to receive 3.5 billion Lire (US$2 million), and Baggio will have 5 billion Lire (US$2.9 million) a season.

The joining of Inter means Baggio will be the one who has played in the 3 biggest teams in Italy, Juventus, AC Milan, and Inter Milan. Also he can play along with another great player, Brazilian Ronaldo, which will be the best forward combination ever!

Baggio performed well

PauL (Jun 3, 1998) Although Italy lost the match against Sweden, Baggio was in the starting line-up, and played it well.

During the first half, Baggio created couple of chances for his teammates, but they all missed. Once Roberto put the ball into the net, but it was denied because of Ravanelli's off-side.

It was obvious that the hard practice last week had caused the not-so-good performance of the whole team. Therefore unfortunately, Italy lost 0-1.

Baggio and Vieri will be in front

PauL (Jun 2, 1998) Italy will put Baggio and Vieri together in the match against Sweden today.

Baggio wants to do something in the World Cup to put himself into everyone's memory. He said "I'm totally relaxed about it all, I know that the first choice is Del Piero. I've already won my World Cup by just being called up to the squad." But he added "if the opportunity arises, I'll do what I can to make people remember me, just like at USA '94. I've come here knowing the way things are. It's true I'm Roberto Baggio, but in this squad, there are people who were chosen before me. All I'm saying is that if the need arises, I'll be ready. I'm living through this with a sense of calm, and obviously, with hope."

After about 2 weeks of the call-up, it is still a source of pride. He said "In July a year ago, how many of you would have bet on me being here? I was the only one."

When the tough physical work-out for the preparation of the game against Sweden had finished, Baggio said "The problem with games like these is that they come just before the finals, when your body hasn't fully absorbed all the preparation that's gone into it. Clearly, we won't be at 100 percent. We won't be really brilliant. I remember playing against Costa Rica in the United States, the last match before the finals in '94. We felt so heavy; it seemed the training had done more harm than good."

He added "This time, the preparation has been over a shorter period. But it's been just as intense. The advantage we have this time is that there's less pressure on the squad than there was then. In 1994, there was more tension."

One reporter asked whether Baggio standing in for Del Piero was like a wife announcing to her husband that she was going out that night with her old friend Richard Gere. He quipped "but I don't look like him, I'm shorter."

Baggio hurt his back

PauL (May 31, 1998) Baggio hurt his lower back in a training session, it's doubtful whether he can play the friendly match against Sweden or not, let's hope he's alright.

Baggio will be able to take penalties

PauL (May 29, 1998) Cesare Maldini said that Baggio will take penalties during the World Cup finals. Baggio had 22 goals with Bologna, and half of them came from penalty kicks.

On the other hand, Arsenal denied the rumor that they wanted Baggio. Therefore, Baggio will stay in Italy, either stay in Bologna, or go to Inter Milan. But the answer will not come out unless the World Cup has finished.

Baggio in no rush to decide his future

PauL (May 27, 1998) Although people are now discussing about whether Baggio will go to Arsenal or Inter Milan, but Baggio is in no hurry to decide his future, he even hasn't decided to leave, he said "I haven't even spoken to Gazzoni yet about my future. I want to decide all this calmly, this is the last big decision of my career and I don't want to get it wrong because I rushed into it."

Baggio had once contacted with Inter during the matters between him and Bologna FC coach early this year, he said "I've already had talks with Inter, don't you remember, last January at the time of my row with Ulivieri. However, on that occasion, I decided to stay with Bologna because I felt it would be wrong to betray all those season ticket holders, 27,000 fans, many of whom bought tickets because I had joined the club."

Baggio had helped Bologna to win a place in the Intertoto Cup, a backdoor of the UEFA Cup, and had won himself a place in the Italian World Cup squad, so he now should feel free to leave Italy. Arsenal had offered a three year contract worth approximately $10.2 million dollars. On the other hand, Inter's reported offer of $2 million dollars for one season with an option for the next may be smaller but Baggio will be able to play in the front with Ronaldo.

Baggio leaves Bologna for Inter Milan

PauL (May 26, 1998) After a successful season with Bologna FC, Roberto Baggio will go back to Milan, but this time, with Inter Milan.

According to Bologna president Giuseppe Gazzoni, he said he had talked to Inter president Massimo Moratti and had made a counter-offer to keep Baggio -- 35 percent more than what he earns now and the chance to manage a soccer school at the end of his career. But if Moratti wants to make another counter-offer, he couldn't follow suit. He also said that Baggio had paid his debt to Bologna, playing the way he had been like a fantastic meteorite, however he added that paying Baggio six billion lire a year would mean busting their books...and that would not be good news.

No.18

PauL (May 26, 1998) Maldini had given each player a number, and Baggio will get the number 18 again, while Del Piero will get the number 10. But as long as Baggio is in the team and he can play, the number on the shirt is not that important.

Teammates

PauL (May 23, 1998) Cesare Maldini spoke out one of the reason why he chose Baggio -- because some national team players wanted him to be in the team and they hope Roberto could help the team.

All smiles for Baggio

PauL (May 23, 1998) Baggio said after he knew his inclusion, "More than anything else, just let me say how happy I am, I'd been wishing and hoping to go to the World Cup finals. In the last few months, there were times when I felt that I would make it, and there were times when I wasn't so sure, when I was frightened I wasn't doing enough to convince Maldini. But in the end I think sheer willpower -- the desire to overcome every obstacle -- was the deciding factor. And I think that my recent performances, and the goals, dispelled the final doubts."

Baggio could not gauge the importance of his widespread popular support for his return to the national fold, he said "You'll have to ask Maldini about that, I've tried to earn it on the pitch. Cesare has known me for a long time and if he's made this decision, it's because he thinks a player with my characteristics could be useful."

When Baggio talked about his former Juventus teammate Del Piero, he said "I hope he recovers as soon as possible, I've said it before and I'll say it again, in our role Ale is the better player, partly because he has youth on his side. I'm just happy to be going, and I don't like the idea of benefitting from other people's bad luck. My job is just to be ready. And as and when I'm needed, I'll be there to play my part."

Maldini's concern last summer was just how suited Baggio was to the hustle and bustle of modern football. Baggio's personal record of 22 goals this season answered that question, but he admitted, he said "I've had to adapt to today's more muscular game. It's a sign of the times -- 15 years ago, when I started out, you could still be a soloist. That said, putting all the different interpretations to one side, football is still football. And the important thing for me was to go to France; in whatever role, with whatever job to do. I'm not asking for the moon. This is my third World Cup finals. I was in a team that finished third in the first one, and then in one which came second. Now I want to win it, because at 31, barring miracles, there won't be any more for me."

Picture source: RAI Sport
Click for original size

Baggio can play in France '98!!!!!

PauL (May 22, 1998) Just a moment ago, Italian national team coach Cesare Maldini announced the squad for World Cup France '98. Within the 22 names, one of them is our hero -- ROBERTO BAGGIO!!!!!

Finally Baggio can play for Italy again in the most important soccer event -- World Cup, the main reason may be because of his great performance this season in Bologna -- 22 goals which is only 3 goals less than Ronaldo. Now, every Baggio supporters are looking forward to France '98, and starts from mid June, we are able to see Roberto Baggio playing in the World Cup again!!

Previous Page	Next Page