Trap Urged To Drop Del Piero For Baggio
Wednesday 2nd January 2002
Brescia coach Carlo Mazzone has urged Italy to ditch Juve star Alessandro Del Piero in favour of Roberto Baggio after seeing the veteran striker return from injury.
"My advice to [Italy coach] Giovanni Trapattoni would be to play him up front alongside Christian Vieri. That pair have no rivals," he said.
Baggio suffered a knee sprain in late October, but is almost ready to come back to action after completing an exhaustive fitness programme - which has left his coach in awe.
"In all my 35 years as a coach I have never seen a player work as hard in training as Baggio," said Mazzone. "He desperately wants to go to the World Cup, and desperately wants to be picked on his own merits, not just because his name is Roberto Baggio.
"When he comes back we will see something extra as he wants to convince Trapattoni he is the right man."
Baggio was Italy's chief inspiration as they reached the World Cup final in 1994, but four years later in France he had a bit-part role, only playing when Del Piero was injured. He then drifted away from the international scene.
There has, however, been a clamour for him from both the media and ans to return to the national side recently, despite his move to unfashionable Brescia.
Del Piero even complained after the narrow July win over Hungary in Parma that fans were not helping Italy's cause by calling for Baggio's return during games. "No-one can question Roby Baggio's talents but the fans weren't right to call his name when we weren't able to score against Hungary," he said.
Last month Trapattoni appeared to open the door to Baggio's return when he said: "I have to say to the Japanese supporters, who love Baggio, that I will choose my World Cup squad next year."
Meanwhile Baggio, who will be 35 next month, has clearly set his sights on a fourth World Cup campaign and will not risk his chances by rushing back to action.
"I want to make sure I am fully recovered and in step with my team-mates," he said. "It is important to respect the fitness programme and the exercises I have been given to do. The season is at a very important period and I must be right."
Brescia are also determined not to rush their prized asset, despite their struggles without him. "We will see Baggio at his best in about three weeks," said the club's chief medical officer Ernesto Alicicco.
