However by May, the groundswell of support for Baggio’s inclusion was so overwhelming (in a poll run by La Repubblica, 90% of readers wanted Baggio in France), and the fact that Baggio’s 22 goals had lifted Bologna into Europe, it was evident Maldini couldn’t feasibly ignore him. Nell'estate del '98, nell'elenco entrò con prepotenza e amarezza un nuovo gesto: se il pallone usciva fuori, non importa se di un centimetro o tre metri, si guadavano i compagni e si faceva segno con gli indici, dieci centimetri che ballavano in aria: è uscito fuori tanto così. “Baggio showed great character,” said Maldini, who was so nervous he turned his back as Baggio began his run up. Udinese’s offer wasn’t felt to be genuine, and so Baggio joined unfashionable Bologna. Now with the odd speckle of grey hair that glimmered throughout his cropped hair that gave the impression of a more mature, more robust player. To compound the misery, an injury to his right thigh led to speculation that he could miss out on France ‘98. The ecstasy before the agony: Roberto Baggio vs. Bulgaria (1994). If the word ‘staffetta’ is translated into English, it roughly means relay. Their careers resembled two ships passing in opposite directions. Il campionato mondiale di calcio 1998 (in francese Coupe du monde de football de 1998), fu la sedicesima edizione del campionato mondiale di calcio per squadre nazionali maggiori maschili svoltasi in Francia dal 10 giugno al 12 luglio 1998 . The 1998 FIFA World Cup was the 16th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. Calcio. Niggling injuries and Inter reaching peak-Inter by sacking three coaches in six months led to Baggio losing his place in the Italy squad. So much so that by the age of 30, the 1993 Ballon d’Or winner found himself ludicrously unloved and unwanted by the Serie A elite. With Del Piero now in contention, Maldini was forced to make his first big decision of the tournament. France ’98 was earmarked as being Del Piero’s tournament, his coronation, his coming out party. Baggio ha sostituito a metà del secondo tempo un nervoso Alessandro Del Piero con la maglia numero 10. “It is something from 30 years ago, today it no longer makes sense.”. Giovanni Trapattoni, king pragmatist and a man not known for creating swashbuckling sides, believed there was no reason for a relay and they should play together. Italy vs Chile remains one of the great underappreciated group stage encounters of the modern World Cup era. ''Sarebbe bello-ha detto l'attaccante vicentino-poter ritornare nel team azzurro e poter giocare i mondiali in Francia. ( Log Out /  “A small Italy saved by Baggio,” ran the headline from La Repubblica the following day. L’Italia arriva fino ai quarti dove viene eliminata dalla Francia che poi vincerà il prestigioso torneo. Italia ‘90, Usa ‘94, Francia ‘98: tre storie diverse, tre epiloghi simili. But I guess Juventus and Addidas thought Del Piero was more famous. Dagli errori a Francia’98, a quelli in finale a Euro 2000 contro i Blues, Del Piero è sempre stato visto come un usurpatore, l’uomo che aveva cacciato Baggio dalla Juventus e … Baggio was quite enjoying the role as elder statesman in the squad. No team could match Italy’s quality either end of the field. He waited for the whistle, and confidently hit the ball hard and low, placing it into the bottom corner of the Chilean goal. I feel that if he had started against Chile, things would have been different. ''Sarebbe bello-ha detto l'attaccante vicentino-poter ritornare nel team azzurro e poter giocare i mondiali in Francia. La grande stagione a Bologna gli valse la convocazione per il Mondiale di Francia '98. Baggio would score first, further cleansing the memory of Pasadena. The midfielder was a survivor of the traumatic ’94 campaign and knew the ordeal his namesake had went through. It was in the lead up to the Cameroon game that mentions of the ‘staffetta’ emerged. Baggio immediately sparked some sense of life into a dire Italy performance, and his in swinging free kick was met by Di Biagio, a carbon copy of the Cameroon game, only this time his header went wide. Azzurri coach Ferruccio Valcareggi was blessed, or perhaps cursed, with having Gianni Rivera and Sandro Mazzola – both star players for Milan and Inter – in the prime of their careers. Nelle prime partite, Baggio fu titolare per via dell'infortunio di Alessandro Del Piero. The same Capello that had pushed Silvio Berlusconi to sign him only two years prior. Even in the Conegliano, Del Piero’s birthplace, a vote taken during the tournament suggested people wanted to see Baggio rather than their famous son. However, it wasn’t an England-coming-home-after-Italia ’90-esque celebration of a great tournament. Italy was greeted off the plane with flying stones, and Valcareggi was forced to flee under the arm of police protection. A suon di gol e giocate nel corso della stagione appena conclusa ha voluto lanciare un chiaro messaggio a Cesare Maldini , commissario tecnico della Nazionale : «Al Mondiale voglio esserci» . It’s sad Del Piero never owned the world stage in his prime. In quei quarti di finale contro la Francia l'ennesimo lampo di classe poteva cambiare la storia di quella edizione. Lovely article. Went the thinking. The Azzurri class of 2006: where are they now? Del Piero and Baggio pictured during France ’98. “You cannot have Vieri and Del Piero on the pitch and not play for them,” Zidane remarked. It spoke to the sheer volume of talent that Italy had at the time that a player of Baggio’s genius was wilfully ignored for three years. From back to front in 3 touches. Two days before the Cameroon game, a test match was initiated with the three on one side in a 4-3-3 with Del Piero on the left and Baggio on the right. ( Log Out /  It seemed inevitable that he would enter the fray, yet by the time Del Piero was replaced, it was for Chiesa. Since the World Cup final, he’d only played a further three times, averaging one performance a year. Could have worked in a 3-4-1-2 or 3-4-2-1 system. Baggio accetta così l'offerta che arriva da Bologna. Roberto Baggio con la maglia dell’Inter – Photo by Inter.it. His added muscle, needed to rebuild his knee, had taken away from his explosive agility and devastating pace, and the no.10 position was rightfully Totti’s. Aggiudicati la seconda maglia dell 'Italia, modello bianco preparata per Roberto Baggio in occasione di un match dei Mondiali svoltisi in Francia nel 1998.. Caratteristiche: - Maglia bianca away preparata a maniche corte - Stemma FIGC ricamato sul petto Baggio shouted penalty, and was promptly give one. Cosa sarebbe successo? The match against the Norwegians in Marseille was never going to be one for the football purist. Ancelotti, then a devoted disciple of the Sacchian model, was so deeply wedded to 4-4-2 that he was unwilling to accommodate and threatened to resign if Baggio was thrust upon him. ( Log Out /  With Christian Vieri, fresh from winning the Pichichi award in La Liga with Atletico Madrid, guaranteed a starting place up front in Maldini’s ultra conservative system, the position long earmarked for Del Piero would instead be given to Baggio. Baggio from Italia 90 to France 98, plus a look at this years potential heroes. “Of course I thought about Pasadena in those moments,” Baggio later said, he could hardly fail to. Rather depressingly, Maldini instructed Italy to play up to their catenaccio heritage, hoping to hit their opponents on the counter through the speed of Moriero and Del Piero. Del Piero, maybe not wanting to give anything away with cameras present, give the impression of someone at ease. Players, past and present, weighed in on a theme that played a divisive role in Italy’s bid to win a fourth World Cup. By the 84th minute, Italy were 2-1 down due to two Marcelo Salas strikes, with the second one a particularly marvellous header. Maldini, who had given Baggio a recall in an April 1997 qualifier against Poland – his first game in blue for 18 months, ruled Baggio out. Juve, playing to much of their final history, promptly lost. Come Baggio contro la Francia. “I’m happy with what Roberto did, but I wait for Alex (Del Piero),” Maldini said to the media. Dopo Francia ’98, il rapporto tra Baggio e la Nazionale subirà un drastico ridimensionamento. Then came the chance, the one that this game is most remembered for by Italians. It’s hard to believe that he will ever fully rid the pain of Pasadena, yet his redemption in the eyes of the Italian public was complete. In truth it was an incredibly harsh decision, there was little Fuentes could do. Not only was the country divided into ‘Mazzoliani’ and ‘Riveriani’, but indeed large swathes of the dressing room were too, with it being reported that defenders and midfielders favoured Mazzola, due to his superior work rate, and Riva and Boninsegna clamoring for Rivera due to his ability to create. He lacked confidence throughout the tournament. Del Piero’s ice breaker should’ve come here. Baggio was all too familiar with the situation; there was almost a sense of déjà vu in France and he sympathised with his struggling teammate. This, he felt, would hugely imbalance Italy’s system and leave them defensively vulnerable, something that’s considered sacrilege in Italian football. Several Parma players – as the story goes – also made it clear to Ancelotti that Baggio’s presence at the club wasn’t welcome. The stance from Maldini was admirable, by showing relentless faith in Del Piero, that eventually he would come good. Ai mondiali di Francia '98 Baggio è considerato riserva del fantasista Alessandro Del Piero che però delude le aspettative. Regarding tactics, Maldini was a meat and two veg tactician, there would be nothing spellbinding or adventurous in his style of play. Polls taken around the country showed an overwhelming majority wanted to see Baggio start against France. To his credit, Del Piero was candid about his performances, saying, “France ’98 won’t hold happy memories for me, I didn’t do what I wanted, for myself and for the team.”. Many of the French side were hugely critical of Italy; with Zidane making the case that ‘Italy had the best strikers in the world, but didn’t know how to use them’. Baggio ha regalato tante emozioni anche in tutte le squadre in cui ha giocato: tutti, infatti, hanno un ricordo legato ad uno dei numeri 10 … Baggio believed he was better than his American incarnate. In the middle stood coach Cesare Maldini, father of Paolo, who ultimately didn’t know whether to stick or twist throughout the tournament. Del Piero had a poor game, and showed little of the form that saw him rampage through most of the competition en route to the final. Baggio knew the Japanese offer wasn’t a viable alternative if he wanted to make Italy’s World Cup squad. Del Piero would go on to have a strange relationship with the national team, and in many ways he was the anti-Baggio; he saved his best performances for black and white. Angelo Di Livio thought he had scored. La Nazionale eliminata ai rigori, Baggio costretto a inseguire il sogno della carriera tra polemiche, sollevazioni popolari e vigilie infuocate. Baggio gioca 4 partite e segna 2 reti. For Baggio, just making it to the tournament was his victory; he’d proved to the doubters that he could still make a difference at 31, that he wasn’t consigned to the history books. Baggio publically went to bat for him throughout the tournament, relaying his own story, “he only needs a goal to unlock himself, I was in the same position in America and once the ice broke against Nigeria, everything followed.”. His stock plummeted to such a level that he finished 16th in the 1998 Ballon d’Or ranking. […] Link: Italy and the staffetta: France ’98 and Baggio vs. Del Piero […]. With the player that was benched generally coming on to replace his ‘rival’. L’impresentabile Italia di Francia ’98. The pair scored 43 league goals before France ’98. A 31 anni suonati, e con la Coppa del Mondo di Francia ’98 alle porte, Baggio dimostra di essere ancora una volta il miglio giocatore italiano. As was custom in that era, thousands of fans flocked to Fiumincino airport in Rome to greet the squad upon arrival. Rivera and Mazzola were asked, given their history, to weigh in with their opinions. He spurned three chances that, many argued, had he been wearing the black and white of Juve, would’ve been taken with relative ease. Del Piero would finally make his World Cup bow, replacing Baggio with 25 minutes remaining. Maldini, who was appointed Italy coach in December ’96 in the last of what was a semi-traditional route of serving time with the U21s before making the jump to the first team (Enzo Bearzot and Azeglio Vicini also count as alumni). After Pasadena, Baggio was ‘vaccinated of any pressure, of any problem, of any eventual defeat’. In terms of cold, hard statistics, 1997-98 would also be Baggio’s career best. Addio a Cesare Maldini: Francia-Italia ai Mondiali '98. FRANCIA 98: DUALISMO DEL PIERO-BAGGIO, IL PARERE DI MALDINI . After several days of waiting, with Gianfranco Zola put on standby, the prognosis came back that Del Piero’s thigh injury was only a strain, and would make the plane for France. Italy vs France didn’t live long in the memory. Albertini and Di Biagio, who, along with Vieri, had been Italy’s best player throughout the competition, would have their names written alongside Roberto Donadoni, Aldo Serena, Franco Baresi, Daniele Massaro and Baggio as players who missed in shootouts. Maldini, against his better judgement, kept faith in Del Piero to partner the ever-present Vieri against hosts France. Baggio, despite warming up and not playing, thought the episode was quite humorous. In the days leading up to the quarter final with France, Maldini became increasingly conflicted; stick with an out-of-form Del Piero or give in to the demands of the public and play Baggio? Many felt Maldini was bluffing, and that he would never inherently break away from his conservative ethos. Austria still had aspirations of making it into the round of 16, but were undone by a Vieri header – from a Del Piero free kick – and a brilliantly executed give-and-go between Inzaghi and Baggio in the dying moments of the game. But, the debate lacked the intensity of the Baggio/Del Piero relay, for he wasn’t close to resembling same player after returning from injury. Del Piero finished fourth in 1995 and ’96. The following season they scored seven. In the wake of the quarter-final exit, the usual soul-searching over Italy’s football identity began. Maldini had purposefully chosen the squad numbers and handed Del Piero the iconic no.10. Roberto Baggio’s redemption: A story of two World Cup penalties. “Maldini was always clear with my role in the squad”, Baggio said, “and I respected his decision, I was Del Piero’s sparring partner.”. Baggio tried to exude calm. The word is generally associated with athletics – contests between two or more teams in running or swimming – that consist of competitors getting ‘tagged’ in within the course of a race. It was the most bitterest of pills for Baggio, he’d played in 16 games at three World Cups and only lost one in 90 minutes, against the Republic of Ireland. Baggio dispossessed Francisco Rojas on the periphery of the Chile box and faced with Ronald Fuentes, engineered a brilliant moment of ingenuity by chipping the ball towards his fist. He had featured heavily in Adidas promotional videos and billboards leading into the tournament. 13 Aprile 2020 di Indiscreto. Del Piero, devoid of all confidence by this stage of the tournament, was anonymous throughout and was hauled off in the 67th minute for Baggio, who again entered to loud cheers. And still, the talk of Maldini starting both together failed to totally dissipate, only ever briefly fading into the background. Toccava a Ciro, lo meritava lui quel posto. The Baggio/Del Piero debate became the focal point of talk not just around the country, but also for many who were taking part at the tournament. Maldini came in for fierce criticism, with many pointing to his – even by Italian standards – absolute lack of willingness to win the quarter final against France. Baggio laid on an assist for Luigi Di Biagio in the opening quarter hour before Vieri added a further two. It was Baggio’s ninth goal in World Cups – the first Italian to score in 3 tournaments. Baggio took the no.18 that he wore during his days bolted to the Milan bench. Maldini, who was appointed Italy coach in December ’96 in the last of what was a semi-traditional route of serving time with the U21s before making the jump to the first team (Enzo Bearzot and Azeglio Vicini also count as alumni). Italy had produced rather stodgy performances, only occasionally flickering into life, and this was the Norway of Egil Olsen, long ball advocate. For Italy, France ’98 represents the tournament of a resurrected hero, the downfall of another, the pressure that comes with managing the national side, and, ultimately, one of bitter regret. Vieri, without breaking stride, slammed the ball home. Dino Baggio dragged Chiesa, who had come over to give some words of encouragement, away. Accadde oggi, Francia '98: quasi-gol di Baggio. Inter. https://storiedicalcio.altervista.org/blog/mondiali_1998_italia_francia.html Baggio had replaced a tired Del Piero with little less than 20 minutes remaining to a thunderous ovation. It speaks of reluctance from a coach to trust two equally brilliant players to play at the same time, and rather to play one at any given time. The pressure on Cesare Maldini to select Baggio for France ’98 mounted with every passing goal. Grazie a Baggio il Bologna si qualifica per la Coppa Intertoto e viene convocato da Cesare Maldini per i Mondiali 1998 in Francia. Baggio accetta così l’offerta che arriva da Bologna. Despite having a year left on his contract with Milan, a returning Fabio Capello told him – with the cold ruthlessness that he’s infamous for – there was no future for him at San Siro. Del Piero and Ronaldo battled it out in a fascinating footballing arms race; the world’s two greatest players outdoing each other on a weekly basis; almost single handedly propelling Juve and Inter towards domestic and European supremacy. di G. P. Marra - Piazza Mastai, 9 - 00153 Roma. Not as physically fragile and mentally stronger after four years of struggle. Vieri and Del Piero celebrate after Italy’s opening goal against Austria. Cesare Maldini should also be criticized for his stubborness. Roberto Baggio (Caldogno, 18 febbraio 1967) è un dirigente sportivo ed ex calciatore italiano, di ruolo attaccante o centrocampista, vicecampione del mondo con la nazionale italiana nel 1994.. Soprannominato Raffaello per l'eleganza dello stile di gioco e Divin Codino per la caratteristica acconciatura, è ritenuto uno dei migliori giocatori della storia del calcio mondiale. In Italian football parlance, the word carries negative connotations. Maldini had switched formations after the Cameroon game, and now settled on a 3-5-2 formation. «Faccio calcio da quando ho 7 anni, dopo aver provato tennis, basket e nuoto. Roma, 16 feb. -(Adnkronos)- Roberto Baggio ex ''codino'' del calcio italiano ed attuale attaccante del Bologna spera tanto in una convocazione in azzurro che lo possa portare in nazionale ai Mondiali di ''Francia 98''. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. But Del Piero was succumbing to the pressure. Del Piero got the nod for his first start in the Stade de France in Paris. His last competitive game for Italy came in March ’99. With Baggio’s tunnel of perennial darkness now seeping with flashes of light, his former protégé was fast approaching his own. Il sogno di vincere il Mondiale prima nel ’90, poi nel ’94, e anche nel ’98, quel palo sfiorato contro la Francia (ai quarti) grida vendetta. Maldini, and all of Italy, waited with bated breath. Baggio is certainly in that line of thinking. Baggio bent over, trying to gather his thoughts, there was only ever going to be one penalty taker. Between the clinks and clatters of cups filled with espressos that were set down on bars all across Italy – the country known as the land of 60 million coaches – talk centered around the Baggio/Del Piero conundrum. The issue went right to the heart of Italian football’s ideology. Zico threw his support behind Baggio, feeling that if the 31-year old was fit, he should play, “with 3 touches, he can do anything on the pitch.” Falcao felt the two couldn’t coexist, as it would create an imbalance. Maldini would resign shortly after the tournament. Del Piero’s career was on a skyward trajectory, and the 1997-98 season proved the zenith of that three year, most purple of purple patches; 32 goals were rattled in across all competitions, including 10 in the Champions League, the first time double figures had been reached since its 1992 rebranding (and the only time it was achieved in the 24 team iteration).

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