ROBERTO BAGGIO'S WORLD

31ST OCTOBER 2000

As reported by Giornale di Brescia, at the end of the friendly match between Italy and Serie A World Stars, after the players were back into the dressing room, the crowd at the Olimpico Stadium began to called "Ro-ber-to Baggio, Ro-ber-to Baggio."
Olimpico

Roby hoped that this was not his last time in the Azzurri jersey. He once again made it clear that "the World Cup is far, which is two years from now, but it is still my objective."

He also talked a bit about Totti "it was nice to hear that people want him to be the Baggio of 2000. They need a soccer player like him."

Baggio was then asked about his feeling of meeting the Pope as a Buddhist, he answered "in order to talk about the Buddhism it will spend much time, but today we do not make distinction on religious faith. This game is very much a symbolic one that all people are united." After this, he left on a way with autograph requests.

Roby is staying in Rome until after the match against Lazio. He will train with personal coach Enrique Miguel and massagist Antonio Pagni, then join his Brescia teammates when they arrive in the capital city.

Here is a Giornale di Brescia picture.

30TH OCTOBER 2000

As reported in La Gazzetta dello Sport, there would be no worry for Baggio's condition, it was only a muscular fatigue. He will be fine for Wednesday's Serie A match against Lazio.

Here is a picture of Baggio in the Serie A match between Brescia and Parma, source is Brescia Calcio Official Site.

30TH OCTOBER 2000

Baggio didn't play in that match, it was reported that he had a minor injury, stay tune for a later update.

30TH OCTOBER 2000

The match between Italy and Serie A World Stars ended with a 0-0 draw. There is not much detail about Roby's performance available on the web yet.

There is a Real format audio clip of Baggio in La Gazzetta dello Sport web site. Click here.

Here are two pictures of Baggio greeting the Pope at the Olimpico Stadium in Rome, sources are Associated Press and Reuters respectively.

29TH OCTOBER 2000

Today Baggio will represent the Italian national team to play against Serie A World Stars at the Olimpico Stadium in front of Pope John Paul II, as a part of the Roman Catholic Jubilee celebrations. And because of this special match, Serie A will be played on Wednesday, Brescia will travel to Rome to play against Lazio.

The first four pictures here are from Brescia Calcio Official Site. The first and the second ones were taken in the matches against Udinese and Parma respectively, the other two were taken in the match against Fiorentina. The last picture here was scanned and sent to me by Gurkan, thanks to Gurkan!

27TH OCTOBER 2000

As reported in La Gazzetta dello Sport, coach Mazzone explained what he thought of Baggio in Brescia Calcio, he said "Roby alone cannot win the games, but the squad can and must take the most advantage out of him." He also supported Baggio's return to the national team by saying "Baggio deserves this acknowledgement and surely he will repay Trap with confidence and sensibility."

Here is a La Gazzetta dello Sport picture.

26TH OCTOBER 2000

Today in Giornale di Brescia, an article written by Cristiano Tognoli mentioned about Soka Gakkai International (SGI), the Buddhist association that Baggio is in. The blue-yellow-red on Roby's captain arm-band is Soka Gakkai's colours. If you wish to know more about the association, you can go to Soka Gakkai Web Site.

Here is a Giornale di Brescia picture.

26TH OCTOBER 2000

According to Giornale di Brescia, Baggio had denied the rumour that Inter wished to bring him back to Milan, he said "about Inter wanted to buy me back, I really do not know. However, it would be a hypothesis that I do not take into consideration. With Brescia I am very well."

The sources of the two pictures here are Giornale di Brescia and La Gazzetta dello Sport respectively.

24TH OCTOBER 2000

As reported in Giornale di Brescia, Inter Milan's president Moratti would like to have Baggio back, in exchange they would give Pirlo to Brescia. However, Brescia had declared that Roby won't leave. And they explained that there were only two circumstances under which Roby would leave, one is Mazzone leaves, the other one is the team relegates. The newspaper also reported that Baggio didn't even think much about Inter, he found that Brescia was an ideal place for himself.

Here are two pictures from the match between Brescia and Fiorentina. Sources are Giornale di Brescia and Sportal respectively.

23RD OCTOBER 2000

According to Giornale di Brescia, Baggio did an interview after the match between Brescia and Fiorentina.

About the match, he said "we have made a good contest, suffering in the beginning, but then we became better. Fiorentina is one of the best squads, so we cannot complain on losing a good chance of winning."

Then he turned to talk about national coach Trapattoni's presence at the Rigamonti Stadium, Roby said "I knew that he would come. His presence was to see the performance of other players." But he was reminded that the coach had included him in Sunday's game, and he said "yes, it is an important return to the national team. I hope that it is not the last call, but that some more will follow."

After that, he shifted back to talk about the match against Fiorentina, and he seemed to not be happy with the long balls by Brescia, he said "Fiorentina was good, in a period we had played mostly with long balls, making it hard to construct from the defense. It is an aspect that we must improve."

Roby very often went back and did defensive work, he said "it appeals to me to play in this way, to play on more parts of the field, to touch more footballs, to involve in more actions. Only that we must stop using too much of long passes. Apart from this, for me Brescia is respectable."

Before Fiorentina equalized in the game, Baggio dribbled pass some Fiorentina defenders and had a shot on goal that was saved by Toldo, when he talked about this miss of a golden opportunity, he said "he is 'bravo' Toldo, but I do take a large part of guilt, I should have kicked the ball much stronger."

At the end of the interview, someone said that Brescia did not know how to win, and Roby responded "but we have drawn with two higher class squads. It means that you cannot underestimate us."

In another Giornale di Brescia report, it said Corioni was proud of Baggio's performance, the president said "Roby played really very good, but unfortunately Toldo was more 'bravo'."

Giornale di Brescia gave Roby 7 points for his performance in the match against Fiorentina, and La Gazzetta dello Sport gave him 6.5.

The source of the first picture here is Giornale di Brescia, and the other two are Brescia Calcio Official Site pictures.

23RD OCTOBER 2000

Hubner scored a goal as Brescia drew with Fiorentina 1-1 at their home ground Rigamonti Stadium. Baggio was one of the best players on the field, just that he couldn't convert a golden opportunity to a goal, then Fiorentina immediately equalized. RAI gave Roby 6.5, and here is a Real format match highlight from RAI.
| LIVE | DOWNLOAD |

22ND OCTOBER 2000

A Giornale di Brescia picture.

21ST OCTOBER 2000

As reported in Brescia Calcio Official Site, yesterday the secretary of the national team gave a phone call to the club's office, to inform them that Baggio would play for Italy on the 29th of October, in the friendly against a Serie A foreign all-star team. Roby is happy to know that he can play for the national team again, he said "it's the happiest. Return to the Azzurri gives me a huge satisfaction. I hope that after this call more will follow." Furthermore, Brescia president Corioni is invited to watch this match at the Olimpico Stadium in Rome.

Here is a La Gazzetta dello Sport picture.

21ST OCTOBER 2000

In this Thursday's friendly match against Castelcovati, Brescia won by 8-1, Baggio didn't score.

Hubner is injuried and is doubtful for Sunday's match against Fiorentina, also Gonzalez is out of form, so the two forwards in front of Roby on Sunday may be Del Nero and Turkylmaz.

On the 29th of this month, Italian National Team will play a friendly match at the Olimpico Stadium, they will face a selection of foreigners who are currently playing in Serie A. As reported in Giornale di Brescia, Trapattoni might call Roby to represent the Azzurri in this match.

Here are eleven pictures scanned and sent to me by Phoebe, webmaster of Del Piero The Best. Thanks to Phoebe!

19TH OCTOBER 2000

Today Brescia will play a friendly match with an amateur team Castelcovati, in order to test the formation for Sunday's Serie A match against Fiorentina.

Baggio has been wearing Kappa boots instead of Diadora since his trip to Japan, it's still unclear whether he has changed his sponsor or what.

Here are six pictures that I found in Sportal website. The first one was taken in the match against Juventus, the next four were taken in the match against Udinese, then the last one was taken in the match against Parma.

17TH OCTOBER 2000

A Giornale di Brescia picture.

16TH OCTOBER 2000

Yesterday's Serie A game against Parma, RAI gave Roby 6 points, La Gazzetta dello Sport and Giornale di Brescia both gave him 6.5. The match was played under wet condition, Baggio didn't have much threatening chances, but when a freekick was awarded in the 94th minute, Brescia president Corioni hoped he could score from it, coach Mazzone also hoped so, but Parma keeper Buffon easily saved the shot.

Here are two Giornale di Brescia pictures.

16TH OCTOBER 2000

Brescia drew with Parma at home with a score of 0-0. Baggio played the whole match.

Here is a La Gazzetta dello Sport picture.

15TH OCTOBER 2000

A Giornale di Brescia picture.

14TH OCTOBER 2000

Tomorrow Brescia will play Parma at their home ground Rigamonti Stadium in the second round of Serie A, Baggio will be the attacking midfielder behind Hubner and Gonzalez.

The first picture here is a Brescia team photo taken before they played Juventus, source is Brescia Calcio Official Site. The second picture is another version of a picture that I posted here earlier, thanks to Thirukumaran Sankaran for sending it to me!

13TH OCTOBER 2000

In the friendly against Dellese yesterday, Baggio opened the score for Brescia, and then assisted Hubner for the team's second. The final result was 9-1.

The first picture here was taken in the friendly match against Dellese, source is Giornale di Brescia. The next seven pictures were sent to me by Luca Lazzaro, thanks to Luca! And finally a Calciatori.com picture.

11TH OCTOBER 2000

Brescia has resumed training. Tomorrow they will play a friendly match with a team called Dellese.

According to Giornale di Brescia, everyday Baggio would receive many mails from his supporters all over the world, some of them were demanding things from him. The newspaper specially mentioned a fax from Hong Kong that requested an autographed jersey of Roby.

Here are two Giornale di Brescia picture.

9TH OCTOBER 2000

As reported in Giornale di Brescia, Baggio's personal coach Miguel said that his main concern about Roby was his physical condition. They had done many tests and the conclusion was that he could not make the same as a 21-year-old that had opposite characteristics, but they could improve the situation.

Also, Miguel told the newspaper that Roby and he got to know each other through an introduction by one of their friends.

The first picture here was taken during the Serie A match in Udine, source is Giornale di Brescia. The second picture was taken and sent to me by Luca Lazzaro, thanks to Luca! The third one is another Giornale di Brescia picture, inside the picture is Miguel.

8TH OCTOBER 2000

According to Giornale di Brescia, Baggio stayed at a hotel in Coccaglio after his flight from Japan, and yesterday Andrea Pirlo went to the hotel to see him. Also Roby did an interview in that hotel.

He began the interview by saying "hello guys! I'm fine, just feel tired after a long flight. It was very nice to see those Tokyo school children to walk onto the field wearing brescia's jersey. I always travel to the East happily, which have large influence on me."

Then he thanked Mazzone for letting him playing in a position that he really wished to play at.

About Lippi's sack by Inter, Roby said that he didn't have much feeling at all, and he was happy to have joined Brescia instead of staying at Inter.

In May, Baggio's two goals against Parma gave Inter the chance to play in the European Champions League, but the Milan team was eliminated in the early round of the tournament. On next Sunday, Brescia will play Parma in Serie A, Roby had this to say: "I'm disappointed with Inter not being able to qualify. Those two goals I will keep them along with the beautiful memories. Next Sunday I will have to score some equally important ones." Then he said that he liked the atmosphere at Brescia that everyone's optimistic and calm.

Brescia's president Corioni has two of his dreams become true already, they are to beat Juventus in Coppa Italia and to purchase Baggio. But for Roby, he still has his own objectives to achieve, he said "for me there are still two desires remain, which are more difficult and important. They are to save Brescia and to return to the National side. They are calm so I feel that I am able to make it, I know that it depends on me."

At the end of the interview, Roby called Andrea "my heir".

Here are two Giornale di Brescia picture.

8TH OCTOBER 2000

Baggio is now back to Brescia from Tokyo. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, yesterday he only did some light training with his personal coach Miguel, to clear the fatigue from the long flight. And Brescia's coach Mazzone had granted a two-day break for the whole team that they would resume training on Tuesday.

Last year in JOMO Cup '99, Roby was welcomed by a group of Japanese children wearing Inter's jersey at the Tokyo National Stadium, he was happy to see the same scene again this year, he said "it was great emotion to have a similar reception, to see the children wearing the jersey of Brescia," then he joked "in Japan they love me much more, although it's far away." But after that he spoke out his mind by saying "happy to return home."

When talking about Brescia, Roby said "now they are ready to go back onto the journey. I believe that we can play a different match when facing Parma, and we must forget about the defeat in Udine."

It seemed that Roby didn't quite care about Inter's recent problem, he said "it is not my business. Now I only work with my new squad."

The picture here is not a new one, this is just another version of a picture that I posted in an earlier update.

7TH OCTOBER 2000

Ten pictures scanned and sent to me by Phoebe, webmaster of Del Piero the Best. Thanks to Phoebe!

7TH OCTOBER 2000

They'll be cheering in Italy for the Barcelona Dragons when the 2001 NFL Europe League season kicks off next spring.

Former Juventus and Inter Milan soccer superstar and Italian international Robert Baggio became an instant fan of the Dragons when he visited the team's Estadi Olimpic de Montjuic home in the Catalan city.

Baggio was in the beautiful setting for the Dragons home games to film a television commercial and was keen to discover more about coach Jack Bicknell's team and the NFL Europe League.

The classy midfielder got to grips with the rules of American football and was presented with a Dragons shirt that he promised he will wear when enjoying life in Brescia in Italy, where he now plays in the top division Serie A.

The 33-year-old has played in three World Cups and has scored more than 150 goals during his career in the top flight in Italy. He was named both World and European Football of the Year in 1993 and was among the nominees for the Italian Footballer of the Century award.

Special thanks to Michael Preston, Assistant Director of Public Relations in NFL Europe, for sending me this photo story!

The first picture below was taken during the match between Brescia and Udinese, source is La Gazzetta dello Sport. The next two were taken in the Coppa Italia first leg match between Brescia and Juventus, source is Juventus F.C. official site. The last two are pictures of the second leg, source is RAI.

6TH OCTOBER 2000

You can now send a message to Baggio via Brescia Calcio Official Site. When you are in the main page, simply click on "E-mail" in the menu.

If you want to buy an official Brescia jersey with Baggio's name and number printed on the back, then you should go to BresciaCalcio Shop web site. The price of one jersey including transportation fees is EURO 150, which is approximately US$130.

6TH OCTOBER 2000

In the match against Udinese, Bisoli scored Brescia's first goal from a Baggio freekick. This was Bisoli's first goal in five years. After the match he said "I knew that Roberto would pass the ball to me."

Here are two more pictures of Roby in Wednesday's JOMO Cup 2000. Sources are Sankei Sports and Jiji Press.

5TH OCTOBER 2000

According to Giornale di Brescia, at the end of JOMO Cup 2000, when Baggio was asked by journalists for the opinion upon Lippi's sack by Inter, he answered briefly by saying "the decision made by Moratti doesn't surprise me at all." Roby and Andreina, accompanied by Petrone, then went to have a meal with a Japanese Buddhist group in Tokyo. And under the assistance of personal coach Miguel, he will train by himself in Japan before going back to Italy on Friday night.

The first picture here was taken during the press conference of JOMO Cup 2000 on Tuesday, Baggio is shaking hand with Troussier, the coach of the Japanese national team, picture source is Yomiuri Shimbun. The second picture was taken during the match, source is Giornale di Brescia.

5TH OCTOBER 2000

As reported in Sankei Sports, Baggio explained their lost by saying that the Japanese national team players had a better understanding with each other, while the World Dreams players had never played all together before.

In spite of Roby's great performance in JOMO Cup 2000, he couldn't win the Most Valuable Player award because World Dreams wasn't the winner. Instead he won another award that honored his contribution to the losing team.

There is a Real format video with highlights of JOMO Cup 2000 in J-Ole! web site. Click here.

There are also two Mpeg format movies of Baggio's two goals in last year's JOMO Cup '99 in J-Ole! web site.
| First Goal | Second Goal |

5TH OCTOBER 2000

Tomikoshi Photography. Baggio in JOMO Cup 2000.

Special thanks to Masahide Tomikoshi!

5TH OCTOBER 2000

JOMO Cup 2000. Japan national team beat World Dreams 2-0. Baggio, wearing the number 10 jersey, played the whole 90 minutes and was the most active player in World Dreams. He involved in almost every scoring chance of the team, just that none of them were converted to a goal.

Here is a picture sourced from Yomiuri Shimbun.

4TH OCTOBER 2000

As reported in Sankei Sports, at the press conference of JOMO Cup 2000, Baggio talked about how the Japanese could have better touch on goals. He said that experience was important, and that those players in Serie A could raise the level of Japanese soccer. Apart from soccer, he also talked about his 10-year-old daughter and 6-year-old son, Roby said that he would buy some Pokemon goods for them, since it is now a big hit in Italy.

According to Inter official site, Inter Milan president Moratti explained the reasons for sacking coach Lippi, and one of them was about Baggio, he said "...the supporters, who I respect a lot, haven't forgiven him since he dismissed Baggio..." But surely it's too late to regret now.

The first two pictures here were taken during the press conference in Tokyo. The first one is a Tomikoshi Photography, special thanks to Masahide Tomikoshi! The second one is from Sankei Sports. The third one is a La Gazzetta dello Sport picture of Baggio in the match against Udinese.

There is a new wallpaper designed by Nikita Startcev. Click here.

4TH OCTOBER 2000

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, on Monday, there was an Oscar del Calcio 2000 held in a hall at the Palacassa in Parma. It was an award presentation to the best players in Italy. The supreme prize was the "Player of the Century" award won by Baresi. Baggio was in the top ten, alongside Italian soccer legends such as Meazza and Zoff.

4TH OCTOBER 2000

Baggio attended a press conference at a hotel in Tokyo. According to Jiji Press, during the conference Roby said that he wanted to return to the Italian national team to play in World Cup 2002 held in Japan. And Mainichi Shimbun reported that Baggio was looking forward to his second appearance in JOMO Cup.

3RD OCTOBER 2000

The first picture here was taken in the match between Udinese and Brescia, its source is the Reporter. The second picture was sent to me by Sergey A. Irinarkhoff, thanks to Sergey!

There is a new set of mouse cursors sent to me by Tommy. He modified one of the existing cursor sets created by Tadayoshi Saito to the jersey of Brescia, he also added a ponytail. Click here. Thanks to Tommy!

3RD OCTOBER 2000

Baggio travelled to Tokyo yesterday for Wednesday's JOMO Cup 2000, he was accompanied by personal manager Vittorio Petrone and personal coach Enrique Miguel. He will go back to Italy on Friday in the evening.

This picture is from La Gazzetta dello Sport.

2ND OCTOBER 2000

Giornale di Brescia gave Baggio 6 points for his performance in the match against Udinese, which is the same as what RAI gave him. These two pictures here are from the Brescian newspaper.

2ND OCTOBER 2000

RAI gave Baggio 6 points for his performance in the match against Udinese.

Here are three more pictures of Roby in this match. The first two are from RAI, and the last one from Associated Press.