Baggio wants trip to France
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See the article in its original context from May 1998.
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The 31-year-old Italian forward, who came to the brink of retirement this year following a bitter dispute with his Bologna coach, looks set to play in the World Cup this summer and the European Champions League next season.
For his possible participation in France '98, Italy's 1994 World Cup hero will have to wait just a few more hours. His transfer to a new team - Inter Milan and English club Arsenal are rumored bidders - would take longer.
Italy's coach Cesare Maldini announces the final list of 22 players for the World Cup on Thursday. Baggio, whose goals helped Italy reach the World Cup final against Brazil in Pasadena four years ago, is expected to be a last-minute choice by Maldini after he scored a personal record of 22 goals with low-ranked Bologna in the just-concluded Italian League.
Baggio was third in Serie A goals behind Oliver Bierhoff and Ronaldo. He was one goal ahead of young star Alessandro Del Piero, who replaced Baggio at Juventus and on the national team.
"This would be my last World Cup," Baggio said this week. "I hope to go. I did everything possible to convince Maldini. I'm ready to start as a reserve player and make my experience available to the team."
Italian media have been campaigning for Baggio's inclusion on the Italian team, although the veteran forward has played only one game with the "Azzurri" in the last three years.
About his possible transfer, Baggio said it will be a topic of his next talks with Bologna's president Giuseppe Gazzoni Frascara.
Gazzoni Frascara on Wednesday was quoted by Milan's sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport as saying that Arsenal, England's Premier League and F.A. Cup champion, and Inter Milan have been bidding for Baggio.
"Baggio's contract with Bologna expires next year but there is a gentleman's agreement providing that he's free to move to another club," Bologna's president told Gazzetta. "We will try to keep him ... but I'm aware that he wants to play in the Champions League (next season) .. He's a player of great class."
Arsenal and Inter have both qualified for the next Champions Cup.
His famous pony-tail now gone, injuries forgotten and his athletic condition restored, Baggio looks like a brand-new player.
Coach Renzo Ulivieri, who's leaving Bologna to join Napoli, said recently, "Baggio is again a decisive player, who can fight and score throughout 90 minutes."
Critical of Ulivieri's decision to bench him for a crucial league match against Juventus, Baggio left Bologna's training camp and threatened to quit soccer. Ulivieri offered and then withdrew his resignation.
Ulivieri and Baggio made peace within a few days. After that, Bologna vaulted from the bottom of the standings to midtable and Baggio began playing with confidence again.
